Redondo: Megaliths, Pottery and Serra d’Ossa

The Serra d’Ossa stretches across several municipalities, including Redondo, linking the landscape with a long cultural history. In Redondo, nature and hiking experiences sit alongside archaeological monuments, pottery and wine-making traditions. This lets you plan your trip around different interests rather than reducing the area to a single theme.

Landscape and trails in the Serra d’Ossa

Near Freixo, in the northeastern part of the municipality of Redondo, lies the Ecomuseum. Its area covers approximately 6,000 hectares and includes part of the Serra d’Ossa as well as the CORINE biotope. The former São Bento do Zambujal school serves as its starting point and visitor centre. As an active open-air area, the Ecomuseum offers the chance to explore archaeological and ecological heritage firsthand. The flora of the Serra d’Ossa is also remarkable, with many characteristics of Mediterranean floral regions.

The Serra d’Ossa Walking Trail combines wooden boardwalks with firm earth paths. The route passes through local flora and fauna, by centuries-old gardens and rocks associated with the mountain range’s eremitic past. It also links Aldeia da Serra with the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte Virgem. The church is a vernacular religious building dating from the 16th century; its foundation dates back to the 15th century. The landscape and religious history thus come together in the same route description.

Megalithic monuments and history

The Anta da Vidigueira was built between the 4th and 3rd millennia BC on a relatively secluded plain near the Ribeira do Freixo. Seven granite orthostats and the broken capstone remain in situ around the centrally arranged polygonal burial chamber. Four stones from the original access corridor are still visible. The Anta da Herdade da Candeeira has a different architectural feature: its polygonal chamber has a surviving capstone, and the headstone contains a mysterious opening commonly called the “buraco da Alma.”

Another historic destination is the Convent of São Paulo, built by monks of the Order of Saint Paul the Hermit on a mid-slope of the Serra d’Ossa. Chronicles attribute visits over the centuries by D. Sebastião, D. João IV and D. Catarina de Bragança to the monastery. The combination of mountain landscape, monastic history and archaeological themes offers different perspectives on the area’s past.

Pottery, wine and local traditions

The Museu do Barro is dedicated to preserving and reviving Redondo’s traditional pottery. It presents its historical development and showcases representative forms of working with clay. Handcrafted pottery from Redondo is known throughout Portugal and is made at several pottery centres in the town. Those interested in the craft can explore both its history at the museum and its place in local tradition.

Wine culture is also part of Redondo’s story. The Museu Regional do Vinho opened to the public in September 2001. Its collection presents the different stages of winegrowing and winemaking, from working the soil to the glass. The museum also serves as a tourist information office. The Adega Cooperativa de Redondo was founded in 1956 by 14 winegrowers; group visits and tastings are available by prior booking. The Enoteca explores wine culture and regional heritage from vineyard to table.

One tradition celebrated annually is Noite de Reis, usually held on the night of 5–6 January. Local cultural groups and members of the community sing the Janeiras, from the castle to Praça da República. The route and participants may vary from one edition to the next. If you would like to include this tradition in your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Discover more destinations: Redondo, Montoito, Mourão, Portel, Alandroal, Coruche, Vila Viçosa, Reguengos De Monsaraz.

For the broader travel overview: Evora.