Attractions and Places To See around Gafanhoeira (São Pedro) - Top 15

Arraiolos rugs (tapetes de Arraiolos) are embroidered Portuguese needlework rugs traditionally crafted by hand in the town of Arraiolos, north of Évora, in Portugal. The Arraiolos rug technique is a form of cross-stitch that completely covers the linen foundation. Early Arraiolos rugs utilized designs derived from the Persians by way of the Moors, from whom the Portuguese learned the craft. By 1410, there were about 100 carpet workshops in Lisbon, but by 1551 persecution of the Moors had reduced the number to 6. Convent workshops continued to produce rugs replacing the early Persian designs with Portuguese folk-art patterns in more limited colors. By latter part of the 19th century, the making of Arraiolos rugs practically did not exist, being reduced to embroiderers that made rugs to order or for their own household. A workshop founded in 1916 in Évora helped revive the faltering industry; it is now regulated by a professional organization.

Arraiolos, the Alentejo village which needs no introduction, located in the heart of the region. The quality of the motifs and unique stitches of Arraiolos carpets as well as the peculiar circular castle put the village on the tourist map. But there are many distinctive factors able to attract you to this place only around 12.4 mi / 20 km from Evora, where the urban houses dot the slope sighting a charming rural municipality.

The Arraiolos Castle, or Paço dos Alcaides, is a 14th century castle located in Central Alentejo. Although it is not the largest castle in the region, it has a curious and almost unique peculiarity in the world, which makes it stand out in an area of the country with so many buildings of this type: its layout is circular architecture. For those who arrive in the town of Arraiolos (or pass through the surrounding region) it is impossible not to see the Arraiolos Castle, which stands proudly in the landscape, at the top of Monte de São Pedro. Historically, the Arraiolos Castle has had several roles. It was built in 1306 by D. Dinis, housing the population within its walls. Later it was the county seat of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, 2nd Count of Arraiolos, who lived here for many years. Due to the cold and wind resulting from its location, it ended up losing many of its inhabitants. In an attempt to keep some of the population inside the walls, they began to be closed every night after the bell rang, which continued for several decades. However, the population eventually spread out along the surrounding slopes and three centuries after it was built, the Castle began to be looted for materials, eventually falling into ruins. It was during the reign of King John IV that it underwent major renovation work, but it eventually fell into ruins again, worsened by the earthquake of 1755. Between 1959 and 1963, it was partially restored by the State, achieving the appearance it still has today.

This route, along the deactivated Ramal de Mora, not only allows you to visit cultural points of interest in the city of Évora, whose historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also allows you to enjoy the magnificent landscape of the typical Alentejo plain, predominantly made up of montado and olive groves, on a route that is almost always in a rural environment, providing direct contact with nature. A short detour and a visit to Arraiolos, a town famous for its hand-made carpets, is essential, as is a stop in the village of Graça do Divor, where it is worth visiting the old houses. This Eco-track is part of the Great Montado Route, under the responsibility of CIMAC – Intermunicipal Community of Central Alentejo, which will allow the inclusion of almost 184.805 km of deactivated railway lines (Reguengos Branch, Vila Viçosa Branch, Montemor Branch, Mora Branch and Évora Line) in the Great Montado Route, in a process that includes 9 of the 14 municipalities of Central Alentejo (Arraiolos, Borba, Estremoz, Évora, Montemor-o-Novo, Mora, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz and Vila Viçosa).

End of the eco-path starting in Evora.

Very nice complex with a view of the surroundings.

In June 2024, parts of it were quite overgrown and the information boards all weathered and unreadable. Pity that there seems to be no maintenance. Because it is still a great way to get into the countryside from Evora.

Carpet exhibition and historical information about life and country.