Region

Agricultural areas and traditional craftmanship

When you visit the Alentejo you will soon understand why Portugal is the world's leading cork producer and exporter. The many hills with the fantastically shaped cork oaks are a spectacular sight. Because it is an agricultural area with almost no industry (except a huge oil refinery at Port Sines) a lot of the old handicrafts are still very common. There's a large variety of pottery: crockery, vases and pots. North of Évora, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site lies the village of Arraiolos, renowned for its hand-made tapestries. One can find woodcraft, worked cork, leather working, tin working and basketry on the annual and weekly markets all over the Alentejo. Mértola, home to many artists, has a beautiful convent (Convento), just outside the village. Very special are the many white and blue windmills, a few of them still operating.