Moura was once an important fortified town. The Arab influence is still visible at this peaceful town, surrounded by oaks and olive trees, particularly in the narrow streets and low whitewashed houses, with their peculiar chimneys, of the Moorish quarter.
The name of Moura (Moorish woman or girl) is born from a mixture of legend and history. Salúquia, daughter of the region´s Moorish governor, was waiting for the arrival of her lover when his sequit was attacked and he was killed by the Portuguese, who then used the Arabs´ clothes to trick Salúquia into ordering the drawbridge to be lowered. She is said to have committed suicide, throwing herself from the castle tower, both by grief for her bridegroom´s death and guilt for the enemy´s victory.
This town and its surroundings is also well established as the best area in Portugal for the production of quality olive oil. Its wine production is of high quality and has been recognised as a "Denomination of Controlled Origin". The red wine is from Alfrocheiro, Aragonez, Castelão and Trincadeira. The white wines are produced from Antão Vaz, Arinto, Bical, Fernão Pires, Rabo de Ovelha, Síria and Tamarez. Some blacksmith shops at Moura still dedicate themselves to forged iron works, producing artistically carved doors and pratical or decoration objects, such as picture-frames and candlesticks.
Facts - Sights - History - Restaurants -Map
| Region: | Alentejo |  |
| Sub-region: | Baixo Alentejo | |
| District: | Beja | |
| Inhabitants (2001): | 9 200 (City); 16 590 (District) | |
| Parishes (8): | Amareleja, Póvoa, Safara, Santo Agostinho, Santo Aleixo da Restauração, Santo Amador, São João Baptista, Sobral da Adiça | |
| Area: | 957,73 km² | |
| Coordinates: | 38º08 N 7º27'W | |
| Municipality: | Câmara Municipal de Moura, Praça Sacadura Cabral, 7860-207 Moura |
There exists here another fable or story that the town was taken from the Moors by the Christian forces with the help of a Princess who was so in love with a Knight that she opened the castle gates to allow the Christians to secretly enter and take the town. The present ruins of the castle originally date back to the 14th Century. The castle and the later constructed town walls were both destroyed when occupied by the Spanish occupation in 1707.
Alentejo > Travel guide > Beja > Moura
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