Castle keep
River views.
Femidio — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hugo Ferreira — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Inacio Pires — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hugo Ferreira — CC BY-SA 4.0
Mértola is a small town on a hill above the Guadiana river in the south-eastern Alentejo, Portugal, close to the Spanish border, about 73 km in a straight line north-east of Faro. It is crowned by a castle whose keep rises above the white houses. Its position on the river made it an important trading port since ancient times. In the Islamic period it was known as Martulah, and for a time it was the capital of a small taifa kingdom. The castle keep dates from the 13th century and gives wide views over the river, the town and the surrounding plains. Below the castle stands the town's main church, which was originally a mosque and still keeps its mihrab. Mértola is known as a «museum town», with several small museum sites spread around it showing its Roman and Islamic remains, including a collection of Islamic pottery. The cobbled lanes of the old town run down to the riverbank, where the houses are reflected in the water. A small fee is charged for the castle and museums, with a combined ticket available. Summers in the Alentejo are very hot, so spring and autumn are better for a visit.
River views.
With an old mihrab.
Roman and Islamic finds.
Mértola, Alentejo, Portugal
Yes, for the castle and museums.
Spring and autumn.