Located in the heart of southern Portugal, Aljustrel is a historic town that has been synonymous with mining for centuries. It was known as “Metallum Vispascense” during the Roman period before being taken by the Moors, who ruled the town until it was conquered by King Sancho II of Portugal in 1235.
Things to do in Aljustrel
Perched atop a hill overlooking the town is the Castle of Aljustrel, a medieval fortification believed to have been constructed by the Moors. Archaeological investigations have uncovered artefacts dating back to the 9th century, although there are few remnants of the castle’s original foundations today. Now dominating the site is the whitewashed Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Castelo, which is renowned for its 18th-century tilework.
Objects discovered during excavations in the area are showcased at the Museu Municipal de Aljustrel, together with minerals and rocks from the mines of Aljustrel, Neves-Corvo and São Domingos. After your visit, you can stroll through the Jardim 25 de Abril, a leafy green space with sporting courts, a children’s playground and a skate park.
On the southern outskirts of town is Parque Mineiro de Aljustrel, which celebrates the mining heritage of the area. It was created as a tribute to the men and women whose lives were closely linked to the mines, with extractive activity taking place here for around 5,000 years. In addition to browsing the exhibits of the Welcome Centre, you can follow the walkways that lead through Aljustrel’s mining landscape.
Getting around Aljustrel
Aljustrel is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Lisbon and Humberto Delgado Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Aljustrel and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.