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"MALHÃO" IN MY REGION MEANS A PORTION OF WALL WHERE THE SHEPHERDS USED TO TAKE A PAUSE AND BUILT/PLACED AS TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE NORTH/WEST WINDS WHICH ARE THE COLDEST ONES IN WINTER.

Opulenta villa do Império Romano ocupada durante a Antiguidade tardia e os primeiros tempos de domínio do Islão. Nos inícios do século IV era uma luxuosa residência senhorial, termas, lagares de azeite e de vinho e instalações agrícolas, revelador do estilo de vida de uma família de elevado estatuto social e político. Integra este conjunto um templo cristianizado no século VI e usado como cemitério no período islâmico até ao século X, que se mantém conservado até ao arranque das abóbadas Entre os achados arqueológicos encontram-se mosaicos de temática predominantemente marinha, mármores e cerâmicas diversas, estuques pintados e esculturas que decoravam os interiores e os jardins. ++++++++ Opulent villa of the Roman Empire occupied during the late antiquity and the first times of the dominion of Islam. At the beginning of the 4th century it was a luxurious manor house, spa, olive oil and wine presses and agricultural facilities, revealing the lifestyle of a family of high social and political status. This complex includes a temple which was Christianised in the 6th century and used as a cemetery during the Islamic period until the 10th century, which has been preserved until the vaults were torn down. Archaeological finds include mosaics with a predominantly marine theme, marbles and various ceramics, painted stucco and sculptures which decorated the interiors and gardens. culturaportugal.gov.pt/pt/conhecer/local/_drcalgarve/ruinas-romanas-de-milreu

The only “palace hotel” in the Algarve, and part of the select club of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is now revealed in all its splendour, providing a unique experience in the south of the Portugal. Characterised by the rich and decorative architecture resulting from the restoration of a 19th century palace, while preserving its original features, the Pousada Palácio de Estoi has 63 rooms, French-style gardens, an outdoor swimming pool with a view of the sea and the mountains, as well as all the amenities of the 21st century. The Reception area is located in the old Chapel, which, with its Luís XV style, is dedicated to the Sagrada Família. In collaboration with the Faro Municipal Museum, the old reception area will now host a new space for exhibitions forming part of a museum collection dedicated to the history of the region and its various : Roman, Islamic and classic influences. The mix of Neoclassical, Neorococó and Art Nouveau styles continues to be visible in every corner of this Pousada, including its salons, which now feature more classic furniture, a new colour palette that harmonises with the frescoes and two distinct languages in the two restaurant areas, serving lunch and dinner in a variety of themes, in addition to a new outdoor deck. www.pousadas.pt/en/hotel/pousada-estoi

PIPs ABOVE Mértola like many towns in this area of Alentejo has a history of trade with Phoenicians and Carthaginians, followed by settlement of Roman and Moorish invadors. The town of Mértola itself is set on a high spur above the rivers. The walls are Moorish when the town was known as Martulah and were built over the Roman originals. In the middle of the old town stands the remarkable parish church, the Igreja Matriz - a former mosque and now a National Monument built in the 12th century. Mértola was retaken by the Christian King Dom Sancho II in 1238 but this chuch and a smaller one, the Capela de São Gens, just outside Serpa are they only two former mosques in Portugal that were converted to churches after the Reconquest. The Igreja Matriz retains the Moorish arched doorway and the mihrab - a niche pointing to Mecca. Mértola's castle was originally from the Moorish period but the splendid keep dates from the 13th century from the period after the Reconquest. Just outside the castle walls is the former Moorish quarter the Alcácova do Castelo, which has metal walkways over the various historical layers of Mértola: Roman drains, Moorish walls and a later Christian cemetery. The excellent Museu de Mértola consists of a series of mini museums including the Museo Romano showing the foundations of a Roman house under the Câmara Municipal, the Museu Arte Islâmica with an important collection of Moorish glass, ceramics and funerary stones and the Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Religious Art) in the Misericórdia church. The Basilica Paleocristã in Largo do Rossio do Carmo has 30 tombstones dating from over 1500 years ago. Source: www.portugalvisitor.com/portugal-city-guides/mertola-guide

BETTER EFFECT ON BLACK (PRESS Z) IMHO THE COLOUR BAND ON BOTTOM OF OUR WHITE WALLS IS MORE THEN A DECORATION: AS IT WARMS MORE THAN THE WHITE ABOVE IT PREVENTS BUGS FROM CLIMBING AND ENTER THROUGH WINDOWS OR "POSTIGOS" (WINDOWS ON A DOOR TYPICAL FROM OUR SOUTH)

PIP ABOVE

DRY STONE WALLS THERE, MAYBE BEST TO LOOK WIDE ON BLACK?

ANOTHER HWW ON PIP, CAN CLICK HERE Mértola, Além Rio, HWW TO GO TO ITS PAGE IF YOU WISH