Losing your marbles in the Alto Alentejo

As you drive through the beautiful gently rolling countryside of olives, corks and vines on your approach to the delightful towns of Borba, Estremoz and Vila Vicosa in the Alto Alentejo you might be forgiven for thinking that you are losing your marbles!

As if a mirage, giant mountains of rubble or what looks like rubble suddenly appear before your eyes. Take a closer look and you will see that all around you is marble and miles and miles of it! And in the towns it is all over the place from the cobblestones and doorsteps to the magnificent palaces and churches. It is even used to make the paint that gleams from the whitewashed buildings!

A very important source of revenue for many families in this region, should you wish to find out more about the extraction and processing of this wonderful natural stone, a guided visit to one of the quarries is a must!

In association with:

Discover the marble towns of the Alto Alentejo as part of our Grand Tour of Central Portugal or our one week tour of Lisboa, Estremadura and the Alentejo