Every year around August the Leal Family get together for a long weekend of food, wine and fun. The reunion takes place at Alda and Zeca’s Monte (hobby farm) in Estremoz. We tried to be in Portugal at that time and participate in this very important event that helps cementing the family ties. Unfortunately not all the Leal members were presented at this reunion. We hope next year they will all be there and we can make it also.
The region around Estremoz has been inhabited since pre-historic times. There are also vestiges of Roman, Visigoth and Muslim occupation. During the Reconquista, Estremoz was captured in the 12th century by the army of knight Geraldo Sem Pavor (Gerald the Fearless), who had also conquered neighbouring Évora. However, Estremoz was soon retaken by the Moors and only in the mid-13th century was it reconquered by the Portuguese King Sancho II.
Estremoz is internationally known for its fine marble that occurs in several colours: white, cream, pink, grey or black. The marble from this region was used in famous places in Portugal such as the Monastery of Jerónimos, the Monastery of Batalha, theMonastery of Alcobaça and the Tower of Belém. There is so much marble around Estremoz that it is used everywhere; even the doorsteps, pavements and the cobble stones are made out of marble. This marble is even converted into whitewash for painting the houses. Zeca use to have a marble quarry.
The city is located in and around the Ossa Mountain and is divided in two parts: “old village” a walled village inside the castle and the “modern village” in the areas around the mountain and castle. In the main square of the “old village” known as the Rossio is the site of one of Portugal’s finest markets, held every Saturday. We strolled through the marked and had a coffee in a local pub.
Another important place in Estremoz is the Pousada de Estremoz (typical Portuguese Inn) set in the Estremoz Castle, a true museum that takes those who visit on a journey back to a time of Kings and Queens.
The photos of the next three pages give you an idea of the fun we had during the 2013 reunion.
