Beja - Cuba

We had time to explore Beja, so we can start our journey just outside the city, crossing the railway line at the opening of the fence next to Rua da Lavoura. From there, we follow the typical stone alleys and pass through the Arco da Porta de Avis (Gate Arch). As a curiosity, the stones of the door arch were lost after its demolition, in 1893, to be found 40 years later, serving as tables at the local market fishmonger's shop. Guided by the azulejo tiles on the buildings walls, we go to the crossing point of the railroad already mentioned above. From here, we follow on the left, on an asphalted road, towards the village of São Matias, 6 km away, almost in a straight line. On the way, the tarmac gives way to the dirt track that we walk until we reach a crossroads where we choose to turn left. We sight the first houses of São Matias village, where we enter through Rua Alferes Borges dos Reis, after crossing the national road N18. We're about halfway through the route, so we suggest you to take a break for lunch at the only local restaurant on the roadside. Next to Largo da Igreja square, we can visit the church Igreja de São Matias, built in the 16th century, with two columns of gilded wood carving and a folk character altarpiece. We leave the village on the rural road that flows off the coast, to the north, towards Cuba. We arrive there by crossing the Bairro Novo da Bica neighborhood and the large roundabout, heading to Rua 1.º de Maio. 250 m ahead, we turn right to Rua de Serpa Pinto, and rush straight ahead until we reach the Tourism Office at Largo Cristovão Colon. We came fast to arrive in time to visit the most famous artisan shoemaker in Alentejo, the charismatic Mário Grilo, and take the foot mould for our next genuine Alentejo boots! In Cuba, we still take time to discover the unmissable Rota das Tabernas (Tavern Route), going in and out of old and traditional taverns between a good chat, regional snacks and successive "copos de três" (glasses of three)...