THE BLOG
The Place at Evoramonte is at the very top of our wonderful hill, inside the stone city walls, right next to our famous castle. There is no other place like this for miles around.
Here’s our stories of what’s been happening at The Place.
Weaving Lessons
Now when you visit Evoramonte you have the chance to learn the traditional weaving skills and to complete a beautiful throw for yourself, made on the old traditional looms.
The course will take you through all the stages: Selecting the wool, preparing the warp, dressing the loom, and actually weaving your own cloth. The complete course takes around 10 hours, so it is best to split it over two days.
This is a great hands-on experience and you come away with a wonderful, useful keepsake.
Spring Flowers
Bird Watching
Evoramonte is a great place to spend a few relaxing days if you like birds, wildlife and exploring beautiful countryside.
Whether novice, expert, fanatic or somewhere in between, The Place at Evoramonte is a fantastic base from which to explore the birds of the Alentejo. Convenient for full day, half day, early morning and night excursions – accompanied by the highest standards of accommodation and wonderful food and wine, we guarantee a birding holiday to savour.
We recently enjoyed a fun visit from our old friend Jim Lawrence of www.birdlifeinternational.com who came over from the UK to experience some great birding – Alentejo style. During his stay, Jim introduced us to local guide Jorge Safara of www.birdwatchinalentejo.com and together they showed us just how rich our local birding can be. It really was an eye-opener.
In just one morning these two experts found more than 65 different species within an hour of The Place at Evoramonte. A worthwhile trip by any standards – especially when the lunch that followed was a mouth-watering barbeque served on our top terrace. While we dined, Jim called out the local specialities like Melodious Warblers, Nightingales and Cirl Buntings that were singing in our olive grove below. Meanwhile, Jorge provided a running commentary on the several different eagles passing overhead and explained why we also enjoy such a wonderful daily passage of Griffon Vultures. Mesmerised, our day list continued to grow…
No sooner than lunch ended and we’d waved Jorge off, Jim was off out again to explore the local cork woodlands. Over dinner we learned about yet more birds he’d found there and then we all relaxed as the sun dropped below the horizon, painting the sky a delicious crimson. Jim then set off into the night to look for Red-necked Nightjars.
Whether novice, expert, fanatic or somewhere in between, The Place at Evoramonte is a fantastic base from which to explore the birds of the Alentejo. Convenient for full day, half day, early morning and night excursions – accompanied by the highest standards of accommodation and wonderful food and wine, we guarantee a birding holiday to savour.
Contact us (or Jorge directly at his website) to arrange your birdwatching stay. The Place at Evoramonte offers the perfect, comfortable base with glorious views over the valleys below. And, of course, a splendid (flexibly-timed) breakfast and lunch or dinner.
You choose the pace, we provide the memories.
Lonely Planet
Fantastic. Thank you Regis St Louis. Not only do we now have a fabulous mention in the best selling travel guide “Lonely Planet” – but we have been listed as one of the top 5 places to stay when you visit Alentejo. Great stuff.
Nelson Mandela Exhibition
For the first time ever in Portugal, The House of Mandela Art brought signed prints and collaborations of the work of Nelson Mandela to exhibit in Evora Monte from 2nd April 2019 until 31st May 2019.
Between 2001 and 2005 Nelson Mandela created a series of artwork that reflect the much-told story of his life. On display in the Castle at Evora Monte were prints of his first works, the Struggle Series consisting of 5 images that encapsulate his life story:
The Clenched Fist – representing the struggle years
Imprisonment – his hands bound representing his incarceration for 27 years
Freedom – breaking the shackles
Unity – Nelson Mandela did more than unify his nation and the continent, his hand of friendship was extended to the world.
Hand – his hand extended to a child’s hand reflects his belief in the youth
As he wrote in the accompanying written motivation “Even if age makes us wiser guides … it is the youth that reminds us of love, trust and the value of life”
In May 2002 Nelson Mandela created a series of sketches that reflected his time on Robben Island. He revisited the island in order to capture, the essence of the island. After which he applied his unique style of bright colours to the series of works. The images in this collection of works are titled; The Cell, The Window, The Church, The Lighthouse and The Harbour. Nelson Mandela further hand wrote the motivation for this series of works.
After completing these works Nelson Mandela embraced this new-found talent and quipped to his art coach – “I can say so much with these simple line drawings, why would I write another book when I can tell stories in my drawings!.” Inspired by the Struggle Series Nelson Mandela went on to create another 46 original works.
There was Nelson Mandela work on display (and for sale) at the following venues at Evora Monte:
• Within the Silveirinha Art Gallery that has established itself in the Old Town Hall
• Within the Old Jail where Andar a Monte (The local guided tour company) have their offices
• Within the local craft shop – Celeiro Comum
• Within the Café/Restaurant at The Place at Evoramonte
