Redondo: Pottery, Wine and Serra d’Ossa

Redondo combines the landscape of the Serra d’Ossa with a distinctive pottery and wine culture. It is also home to megalithic monuments, an Ecomuseu covering archaeological and ecological themes, and trails that connect nature with the mountains’ eremitic past. Those planning a trip around different interests will find many concrete points of reference here when choosing a suitable holiday apartment or holiday house.

Serra d’Ossa and Trails through the Landscape

The Serra d’Ossa extends across the municipalities of Estremoz, Borba, Vila Viçosa, Alandroal and Redondo. Its flora displays numerous characteristics of the Mediterranean floral regions. The area covers approximately 6,000 hectares, including part of the Serra d’Ossa and the CORINE biotope. The former São Bento do Zambujal school serves as a starting point and visitor support centre.

The Ecomuseu is an active open-air site where the archaeological and ecological heritage can be explored at first hand. The Percurso Pedonal da Serra d’Ossa combines wooden walkways with firm-earth paths. Along the way, visitors encounter fauna and flora, centuries-old gardens and rocks associated with the mountains’ eremitic past. The trail also connects Aldeia da Serra with the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte Virgem.

Pottery and Megalithic Culture

Redondo is known for its handmade pottery, which is famous throughout Portugal and produced by several pottery centres in the town. The Museu do Barro is dedicated to preserving and revitalising this traditional pottery craft. It also explains its historical development and presents representative forms of clay processing. At Olaria Poço Velho, a traditional wood-fired kiln is used. This makes it possible to explore the subject from both a museum and a craft perspective.

The area’s earlier history includes several antas. The Anta da Vidigueira is a megalithic monument with a polygonal chamber and corridor. It 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 of the original centrally arranged polygonal burial chamber remain in situ; four stones from the original entrance corridor are also visible. The Anta da Herdade da Candeeira has a polygonal chamber with its capstone preserved, as well as an opening in the headstone commonly called the “buraco da Alma”. Anta 1 do Colmeeiro is classified as a National Monument.

Wine, Regional Products and Religious History

Wine culture is also part of Redondo’s character. The Adega Cooperativa de Redondo was founded in 1956 by 14 winegrowers. At the Museu Regional do Vinho, the collection presents the various stages of viticulture and winemaking, from working the soil to the glass. The museum opened to the public in September 2001 and also serves as a tourist information office.

At the Enoteca, Alentejo wines are served alongside traditional pottery, regional cheeses, cured meats and Alentejo bread. At the same time, it conveys the wine culture and regional heritage from vineyard to table. Another site of cultural and historical interest is the Convento de São Paulo, built by monks of the Order of Saint Paul the Hermit on a mid-slope of the Serra d’Ossa. D. Sebastião, D. João IV and D. Catarina de Bragança are traditionally said to have stayed at the convent over the centuries.

Travel Season and Active Experiences

A special occasion is the Noite de Reis, which is still celebrated every year in Redondo and usually takes place on the night of 5–6 January. Local cultural figures and civil society sing the Janeiras from the castle to Praça da República. Those wishing to experience this tradition can deliberately include the date in their travel plans.

For sports-oriented days, the Serra-d’Ossa Cycling Centre is also available. Two BTT-XC routes start there, with Red and Black difficulty levels and a combined length of 81.22 kilometres. All access points are equipped with a bicycle repair station, a bicycle washing facility and toilets or changing rooms. Choose your holiday apartment or holiday house according to your preferred daily rhythm: a cultural and culinary trip calls for different priorities than a stay focused on hiking or mountain-bike trails.

For more ideas for places to visit, you can also see Redondo and Montoito. To broaden your search, Montemor-O-Novo, Coruche, Vila Viçosa, Vendas Novas, São Pedro and Sabugueiro are also available.

For the overarching travel overview: Evora.