Arraiolos
Written by Marilee Rose
Photographs by David S. Rose
continued from "Lap of Luxury"
Alentejo. Attached to the pousada is a chapel that has extraordinary azulejos. To me this chapel is one of the most beautiful chapels in all of Portugal. If I was young again, Catholic and planning my wedding, this is where it would be. There is also a riding stable on the grounds of the pousada, so if you like to ride it’s available. The food at this pousada was great and my husband had this wonder appetizer that was a little meat pie with grilled red onions. He can duplicate that receipe and makes it every couple of months. I learned a little history about this pousada and I hope it is not fiction. This monastery was once the home of the brother of Ines who was murdered and is buried in the tomb in Alcobaca. Arraiolos has couple of important things that need to be mentioned. High on a hill overlooking the pousada is a 16th century castle that is round. This is the first time I’ve seen castle walls that were in the round and it was very interesting. We climbed up to see it and it has a large church in the center. There is nothing else inside the castle walls but the view is quite nice. Also this town is known for their hand woven carpets based on Persian designs.
