This medieval town in southern Portugal has the only surviving Islamic mosque in the country, with Roman ruins and narrow cobblestone streets along the Guadiana River.
Mértola perches on a hilltop where the Guadiana and Oeiras rivers meet in southern Portugal's Alentejo region. In its medieval center, you'll walk through streets barely wide enough for a car to pass, climb to a 13th-century castle, and step inside the Igreja Matriz - a former mosque where Islamic arches and prayer niches still remain. Below the town hall, Roman mosaics lie preserved in their original location, while the Islamic Art Museum displays intricate ceramics and metalwork from the 9th to 13th centuries.
Medieval Streets
The old town climbs a steep hill, with deeply grooved cobblestone streets winding between white-washed buildings. Many doorways in the old quarter measure less than 1.7 meters high, requiring taller visitors to duck when entering. The streets narrow to just 2 meters in places, forcing cars to fold in their side mirrors to squeeze through.
Castle and Views
From the 30-meter castle tower, you'll see the Guadiana Valley stretching toward Spain and the confluence of two rivers below. The Knights of the Order of St. James of the Sword controlled this 13th-century fortress until Portugal's maritime expansion shifted power to the coast. The castle walls incorporate stones from Roman fortifications, visible in the lower sections.
Igreja Matriz
This white church below the castle holds a unique place in Portuguese religious architecture. Built as a mosque in the 12th century and converted to a church in 1238, it keeps its original Islamic elements intact. Inside, you'll find four naves instead of the typical three, and the mihrab - an alcove indicating the direction of Mecca. Four horseshoe-shaped arches mark the exterior, a distinctive element of Islamic architecture.
Museums
Small museums throughout Mértola tell the town's story through artifacts. In the former granary, the Islamic Art Museum displays 9th to 13th-century pottery, glass, and metalwork. The Casa Romana, beneath the town hall, preserves Roman house foundations in their original location. At the Paleochristian Museum, you can examine a 6th-century baptistry and Byzantine mosaics.
River and Park
The Guadiana Valley Natural Park surrounds Mértola with walking trails along the river. Black storks nest in the cliffs, and Mediterranean plants like rock rose and wild olive grow on the slopes. The Pulo do Lobo waterfall, 18 kilometers north, drops 14 meters between narrow rock walls. The abandoned São Domingos mines, with their rust-colored pools, lie 17 kilometers east.
Local Food
Restaurants in Mértola serve Alentejo dishes made with Mertolenga beef (a local breed) and fish from the Guadiana River. In spring, wild asparagus appears in soups and omelets. Autumn brings wild mushrooms and túberas, the Alentejo truffle. During the Islamic Festival, held in May of odd-numbered years, food stalls sell Middle Eastern dishes and local artisans demonstrate traditional crafts.
Practical Information
The steep hills and uneven cobblestones make comfortable walking shoes essential. For the best photos of the town, cross to the Mirador Castillo viewpoint on the opposite riverbank. July and August temperatures often exceed 35°C (95°F), making spring and autumn better times to explore. The tourist office on Rua da Igreja provides maps and museum information.
