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Igreja Matriz

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²Ñé°ù³Ù´Ç±ô²¹â€™s striking parish church – square, flat-faced and topped with whimsical little conical decorations – is known because in a former incarnation it was a mosque, one of the few in the country to have survived the Reconquista. It was reconsecrated as a church in the 13th century. Look out for an unwhitewashed cavity in the wall, behind the altar; in former times this served as the mosque’s mihrab (prayer niche).

Note also the goats, lions and other figures carved around the peculiar Gothic portal and the typically Moorish horseshoe arch in the north door.

Attached to the church is a small underground museum (head out the rear door of the church and turn right) that has displays of items dating back to the Moorish period found during excavations – including lovely Islamic tiles, 6th-century marble pediments and carved, twisted columns.


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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby ²Ñé°ù³Ù´Ç±ô²¹ attractions

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Next to the alcáçova (citadel), this interpretation centre is an accurately sized replica of an Islamic residence dating from the 12th century. Key…

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3. Castelo

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Above the parish church looms ²Ñé°ù³Ù´Ç±ô²¹â€™s fortified castle, most of which dates from the 13th century. It was built upon Moorish foundations next to an…

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Next to the turismo, this small two-room house shows what living conditions were like for ²Ñé°ù³Ù´Ç±ô²¹ns up until fairly recent times (the 1970s).

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Inside the castle walls, this prominent tower has exhibitions related to the history of ²Ñé°ù³Ù´Ç±ô²¹, with several worthwhile (if dramatically scored) videos…

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8. Casa Romana

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