Alentejo
The Alentejo is the region of Portugal more homogeneous in terms of climate, altitude and identity.
It occupies approximately 1/3 of the total area of Portugal in an extension of 31 152km2. It has a population of 766 339 inhabitants which makes it, perhaps, the place of Europe with the least inhabitants per square kilometers.
It’s limited in the north side by the Central Region of Portugal, in the East side by Spain, in the South by the Algarve, and in the West by the Atlantic Ocean.
Its elevation is defined by long plains and faraway horizons… The hot torrid sun (with maximums of 45º C in the summer) gives a very unusual rhythm to this region, where the notion and the assimilation of time becomes a value, being perhaps its most strong feature.
This panorama is by no means unaware of the Sobreiro (Cork tree), by excellence the tree of the Alentejo which, with its slow growing and its strong presence, has put Portugal in the top of the exportations rankings.
All these factors are inevitably reflected in its architecture, music and gastronomy, which is the same to say in the identity of its people - the Alentejanos.
Suspicious and shy in a first impression, warm next, and with a great generosity and inner beauty when finally the heart finds itself. That’s the best way to describe an Alentejano.
The wisdom is perhaps his main characteristic although it is often confused with a very peculiar sense of humor.
It is this same wisdom that touches you when they say the people that can laugh of themselves are ahead in knowledge when compared to others..
Costa Vicentina
The Southwest Alentejo and the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, where The Cerca Houses are situated, is the part of the Alentejo facing west, confined by the Atlantic Ocean.
Its length with more than 100km of sea coast extends from Sines, in the north, to Burgau, in the south (Algarve).
The landscape near the seaside is covered by scarped cliffs to which the erosion of times has given different forms and colorings. Towards the inner land we approach the typical Alentejo landscape of the plains, alternated with green valleys, giving very particular characteristics to this part of the Alentejo – “A Different Alentejo”.
The Southwest Alentejo and the Vicentine Coast Natural Park is the best protected European coast line in terms of unique species of fauna and flora, therefore being visited by many zoologists and botanists from all over the world. Another kind of rarity are many species of birds and also otters, being the only place in Portugal and one of the last in Europe where it’s possible to find them in a sea habitat.
The beaches all along the coast are another of the big attractions, being much requested for the practice of water sports, and are considered as the best in the country.
Troviscais
This small Village took its name from the plant called “Trovisco” or “Travisco” as the inhabitants of the village would say and which, according to an old belief, would prevent the thunders to appear in the place.
It’s situated approximately 8km of S. Luís, the nearest village, and 22km of Vila Nova de Milfontes the touristic Village by the sea..
When approaching Troviscais, in clear days, it’s possible to see the Atlantic in the horizon.
Troviscais short history goes back 3 generations. The owners of the village, and of the properties around and close to the river, were a very young couple and from which descend most of the local inhabitants.
Its population is never the less in this moment somewhat diverse, due to the superb beauty of the place and to the proximity of the sea side beaches which have attracted in the last 20 years, foreigners and Portuguese from other places of Portugal that have chosen the place to live and to work.
However it is quite confined due to the fact that the place is integrated in the Southwest Alentejo and the Vicentine Coast Natural Park which conferred it a privileged and controlled status.
The proximity to Rio Mira and the high topography of its hills were responsible for the location of the village in less advantaged past times.
It was precisely the proximity that gave this place another type of Alentejo and also provided the most contrasting landscapes one could look at.
This contrast is still visible in the character of its genuine inhabitants and may be the feature that allowed the preservation of some of the highest values we may appreciate in a human being towards which we cannot feel indifferent and that touch us in a different way.
Rio Mira
Rio Mira is one of the best attractions of the location of Casas da Cerca.
The pathway that connects both places is surprisingly beautiful, and it is sometimes possible to appreciate countryside activities such as pasturing or wild boar hunting.
From there by boat to Vila Nova de Milfontes in a trip that revives the infinite voyages of the big boats of cereal transportation coming Odemira from stopping at Casa Branca on the way to Lisbon.
This welcoming and somehow mysterious river can be very creative too as it was in 1965 one of the sources of inspiration of the famous “Yesterday” from the Beatles.