Hello everyone and welcome to my blog :-)
After visiting the castle, we went to see the Islamic house of Mértola which is on the same hill but on a lower level.
This village with charming features and a lot of history, has a cultural heritage that has left profound marks on its architectural and urban heritage.
PT
Depois da visita ao castelo, fomos conhecer a casa islâmica de Mértola que se situa na mesma colina mas num patamar inferior.
Esta vila de traços encantadores e de muita história, possui um património cultural que deixou marcas profundas no património arquitetônico e urbanístico.
The Islamic house is a fascinating testimony to everyday life during the Muslim period in Mértola. Upon entering, we immediately feel the natural light that gently enters through the arched windows. The walls are covered with colorful tiles and geometric patterns, reflecting the rich aesthetic tradition of the Islamic world, which emphasizes symmetry and the use of decorative elements.
PT
A casa islâmica, é um testemunho fascinante da vida quotidiana durante o período muçulmano em Mértola. Ao entrar, sentimos de imediato a luz natural que entra suavemente através das janelas em arco. As paredes, são revestidas com azulejos coloridos e padrões geométricos, refletindo a rica tradição estética do mundo islâmico, que prima pela simetria e pelo uso de elementos decorativos.
Each room in the house reveals an aspect of family and social life at the time. Common areas, such as the central courtyard, are surrounded by arcades that promote coexistence and circulation of fresh air. The courtyard, the central element of the Islamic home, is where families gathered, cultivating a sense of community.
Here it was still possible to see some everyday objects used by the inhabitants of that time on display.
PT
Cada divisão da casa revela um aspecto da vida familiar e social da época. As áreas comuns, como o pátio central, são envolvidas por arcadas que promovem a convivência e a circulação de ar fresco. O pátio, elemento central da casa islâmica, é onde as famílias se reuniam, cultivando um sentido de comunidade.
Aqui foi ainda possível ver em exposição alguns objetos do dia a dia utilizados pelos habitantes daquela altura.
Right next door we find the Alcaçova. Its ruins, which date back to the time of Islamic presence, are the remains of an ancient fortification that served as shelter and defense for the inhabitants of the region. These ruins tell the story of battles and an active past, where the town played a strategic role in defending the coastline and the commercial routes that passed through the interior of Alentejo.
PT
Mesmo aqui ao lado encontramos a Alcaçova. As suas ruínas, que datam da época da presença islâmica, são vestígios de uma antiga fortificação que serviu de abrigo e defesa para os habitantes da região. Estas ruínas contam a história de batalhas e de um passado ativo, onde a vila desempenhou um papel estratégico na defesa da linha de costa e das rotas comerciais que passavam pelo interior do Alentejo.
As we explore the Alcaçova ruins, we can observe the urban organization that, even with the damage, is still noticeable in the arrangement of the structures. The view from the highest points of these ruins is equally stunning, providing a unique perspective on the village of Mértola and its natural surroundings, full of hills and the Guadiana River.
It is possible to stroll near the excavations on walkways set up throughout the site. As curiosity is something that assists us, we went down some stairs that almost went unnoticed. We went to the Cryptoporticus, a huge underground structure that had storage functions.
PT
Enquanto exploramos as ruínas da Alcaçova, podemos observar a organização urbana que, mesmo com os danos, ainda é perceptivel na disposição das estruturas. A vista a partir dos pontos mais altos destas ruínas é igualmente deslumbrante, proporcionando uma perspectiva única sobre a vila de Mértola e o seu entorno natural, repleto de colinas e do rio Guadiana.
É possível passear perto das escavações em passadiços montados ao longo do local. Como a curiosidade é algo que nos assiste, descemos umas escadas que quase nos passaram despercebidas. Fomos ter ao Criptopórtico, uma enorme estrutura subterrânea que tinha funções de armazenamento.
The visit to these two places, the Islamic house and the Alcaçova, is a unique opportunity to reflect on the coexistence of cultures that has characterized Mértola over the centuries. The Islamic heritage, which is present here in the architecture and organization of space, contrasts with current history, creating a spectacular contrast.
Every stone, every tile and every architectural fragment tells a story of resistance, adaptation and coexistence resulting in this village full of history.
PT
A visita a estes dois locais, a casa islâmica e a Alcaçova, é uma oportunidade única para reflectir sobre a convivência de culturas que caracterizou Mértola ao longo dos séculos. A herança islâmica, que aqui se vê presente na arquitetura e na organização do espaço, contrasta com a história actual, criando um contraste espetacular.
Cada pedra, cada azulejo e cada fragmento arquitetônico conta uma história de resistência, adaptação e convivência resultando nesta vila cheia de história.
I hope you enjoyed.
See you around.
Wishing you much peace and health
Those who pass by us do not go alone. They leave a bit of themselves, taking a piece of us."
Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince.
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Never been in Mértola.. It is truly a shame to me to admit!
But seeing your personal experience trough your photographic journey made me think about visiting in a next long weekend.
Great vision about the "Casa Islâmica" :)
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It is incredible how you can still see the layout of the Islamic House and the Alcaçova among the ruins, what a great history awaits this place.
Oh my God, I have never thought there is such a islamic house in Portugal. As you said, that's fascinating!