Founded in 1635, the current Hotel de Moura, it was originally part of the third convent that was erected in Portugal by the Hospitaller Order of São João de Deus.
The building, as well as the adjacent royal hospital, were administered by the religious community and functioned in full until the extinction of religious orders.
The block formed by the Hotel de Moura, Church of Santo Agostinho and the former Grémio da Lavoura, was classified in May 2014 by the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage, as a Public Interest Set (CIP).
Between 1809 and 1826 The Royal Salitre Factory was installed there, which produced gunpowder for the whole of mainland Portugal.. Around 1870 the Morgado of Lacerda, a rich local farmer, buys the space and turns it into a palatial manor house.
Is at 1900, which part of the house is adapted for the Grande Hotel de Moura, by virtue of the consideration that the company that operated the famous Água Castello, produced in Moura, was obliged to maintain a hotel to serve the village.
of great historical value, architectural and artistic, founded in the 17th century, the hotel consists of a three-story building all covered in blue and white tiles and gables., is an ex-libris of the city of Moura, where Amália Rodrigues left her mark (na photos). José Correia, a Mourense graduate in history, remember that in the early years 50 “refused to sing on an esplanade and sang on the balcony of a room on the first floor”, which today is known as the “Amália Room”. In three words, the historian defines the hotel as “imposing, majestic and historic”.
About half a dozen years ago, the unit was acquired by a hotel group that carried out an important restoration and refurbishment of the hotel, who has and 36 rooms and 3 apartments. Rooms are superior and standard category, with the first to present a special and unique decoration and the apartments to have a living room, kitchen, with one or two bedrooms. The building has a spectacular interior courtyard., terraces and garden that incorporates a nice swimming pool, with two rooms, one for reading and one for Alentejo, both with fireplace.
Located ten kilometers from the largest artificial lake in Europe, the Alqueva Dam, allows the practice of water sports such as canoeing, fishing and themed boat trips. The reservoir also has three river beaches (Monsaraz, Mourão and Amieira.
In collaboration with local producers, the hotel promotes wine and olive oil tastings, two ex-libris of the county, that can be accompanied by the Alentejo cante.
Useful information
How to get: From Porto or Lisbon on the A6 to Évora and then on the IP2 to Portel, crossing the Alqueva dam wall. It is located in the center of the city of Moura. prices: a partir de 40 euros per room and 45 euros the apartments.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
