メルトーラのおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

Along the Ribeira do Geraldo, the Tapada Grande Dam Reservoir holds an unexpected treasure: this serene river beach, with golden sands, fresh lawns, and every comfort for leisure. Once a vital reservoir for the old mining industry, today it is a setting for rest and harmony. Nearby stands the town of Minas de São Domingos, born of the mining past and still marked by the memory of this unique heritage.

With the beginning of mining and the development of the village, an imposing Catholic church was built near this site and consecrated in 1863. This church was destroyed twice, in 1876 and by fire in August 1938. The current church was not completed until 1951.

A cross depicting the Crucified Christ, supported by an abacus bearing an inscription. The shaft is connected to the capital by an iron ring, on which rests a rod with hooks for holding oil lamps.

The Mezquita Mosque, now the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção Matriz, was built below the castle complex in the mid-12th century as a square building with a minaret. After the Reconquista by Sancho II, King of Portugal, in 1238, the Mezquita of Mértola, then supplemented by a small bell tower on the minaret, retained its original form for almost 300 years. In 1532, the Mezquita was converted into a church in its present form, with striking small battlements and turrets on the roof. The original mosque was never destroyed.

In 1982, a major fire destroyed the entire town hall of Mértola, built at the end of the 19th century. In 1984, during reconstruction work, archaeological remains were identified that correspond to the structures of a residential building from the Roman period (1st-4th centuries BC).

The battlements and cones along the edge of the church's roof are striking, clearly a reminder of the former mosque. The interior of the church is rather plain compared to many others in Portugal. However, the vaulted ceiling is very beautiful.

Nice little bar on the beach - not very busy and inexpensive.

Located in the tranquil setting of the Barragem da Tapada Grande reservoir, this river beach of the same name is a very pleasant recreational area with a sandy beach, lawns, and comprehensive infrastructure. Nearby is the village of Minas de São Domingos, which was developed in connection with the now-defunct mining operations.