Military Defense Line of Alentejo

The Military Defense Line of Alentejo is the border line between Portugal and Spain, and is considered one of the oldest borders in Europe, where some limits are in Portucalense time and the Kingdom of León. This geographical space and political frontier allows their populations share moments and cultural, historical, linguistic and economic elements.

Overall, this boundary extends from the causes of the river Minho (north) to the mouth of the Guadiana river (south), so along more than 1,200 kilometers, while the watercourses are called “wet streak “terrestrial spaces are considered “dry Military Defense Line”.

There are 10 districts in the Portuguese Beach, north to south are: Viana de Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Évora, Beja and Faro.

The districts are of Portalegre, Évora and Beja.

From castles, forts, atalaiais, fortified and fortified villages are scattered across the landscape of Alentejo, raised not only during the time of the Reconquista (south), but also for the need to defend the Portuguese border during the Spanish wars (east), attacks by sea (west) and the interior Alentejo contained the line.

For those looking to learn a little more about the military heritage in the thematic side of fortifications, the Alentejo region has a diversity and range of monuments and historical centers ready to teach and explain their defensive and offensive, that both protect our Portugal. The Alentejo offers a long list of places, spaces and monuments, each with its history and scenic backdrop.

Wonders of Alentejo

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