Estremoz

Estremoz, Royal castle. The tower, Torre das Tres Coroas (Tower of the Three Crowns), is 27m high and built of local marble. The castle was built in the XIII century by Dom Dinis for his wife, Isabel of Aragon. Now it is a luxury hotel, Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel - and that's where we stayed...

...this was our bed...

View from our window at the Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel.

Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel, inner courtyard where we had coffee.

About to climb to the top of the Torre das Tres Coroas.

Climbing up the tower, view from a window.

At the top of the Torre das Tres Coroas.

Inside Queen Isabel's chapel. From this east-facing window on the second floor, Isabel could see her native Spain - Estremoz is not far from the Spanish border. According to local legend, the Queen would spend long hours by this window - and as soon as she heard somebody on the stairs, she'd quickly turn around, towards the wall with the icons, and pretend to be praying.

View from the inner castle.

View from the inner castle onto the suspended bridge.

Walking around the inner castle.

Fountain and the castle fortifications.

Lower town, another fountain.

Lower town, pillory.

Dining at A Cadeia - restaurant converted from the old jail. The food is much better now...

> Vila Viçosa