A visit to the beautiful village of Santa Clara-A-Velha in the Alentejo.
Santa Clara-A-Velha village sits on the Mira River in the south of the Alentejo, and just below the great Santa Clara Barragem. It’s a wonderful village and the people are some of the kindest and most welcoming in Portugal. The old village consist of traditional blue and white houses clustered around a beautiful Portuguese church. The church stands in glory right in the centre of the road as you come into the village. Around it there are the couple of small village shops, a Post office, gift shop and bar. Wandering further into the village you soon find yourself in pretty, narrow streets with orange trees and houses rubbing shoulders.
If you continue up the hill past the pharmacy and primary school you find a small road which will take you to the Fonte. This is a beautiful spot; a well-cared for spring set amongst the fields and vegetable gardens. There are also stone tables and a barbecue area so you can cook the sardines you buy from the fish van that comes through the village several times a week.
On the other side of the village is the new estate and a small football stadium. This is well used for both matches with local sides, and the fantastic village festas. The festas are an important part of village life. Everyone comes from the oldest to the youngest, and the barbecue (or churresquera) and dancing going on until early in the morning.
Down by the beautiful Mira River is a very tranquil space. There are tables under the weeping willow where we have had many a happy picnic. From these you can watch the fish jumping, and terrapins swimming, and try to catch the feisty langustina. On the other side of the river is the market field. When the markets are on the place is anything but tranquil!