Besides the large cities (which in Portugal can be counted on the fingers of one hand), very few Portuguese towns have been the setting for as many dramatic moments of our national history as Estremoz.

Therefore, the visitor with a good knowledge of history can imagine himself living through those decisive moments when the future of Portugal and its world expansion were decided. Kings and Queens have lived and died here.

King Pedro I died in the Convent of São Francisco to which he bequeathed his tortured heart. Queen Isabel of Aragon, who came here with King Dinis, also ended up staying. Nowadays, a pousada named after her is to be found in King Joao V's former armory.

Many and various were the religious and military architectural styles, the latter justified by the strategic importance Estremoz always enjoyed in the wars against Spain:
   
it was the military headquaters of Nuno Alvares during the wars of Independence and later became the centre of the struggle in the war to restore the Portuguese throne. The region produces excellent marble and has rich and varied traditions to handicraft, which is best seen in the fair at the end of April. Its traditional cuisine is also of a quality to please the illustrious guests it has lodged throughout its long history.