Designated in 1989

Located in the northwest Alentejo, this Park occupies part of the administrative territories of four towns: Marvão, Castelo de Vide, Portalegre and Arronches, and has an area of 56 000 ha. This is a different kind of Alentejo landscape, with mountains, valleys and plains. The highest point of S. Mamede, at an altitude of 1025 m, is the most important peak south of the river Tagus and offers a unique view of the landscape.

The combination of Atlantic and Mediterranean characteristics gives rise to rich and various vegetation, with Pyrenean oak Quercus pyrenaica, sweet chestnut Castanea sativa, cork oak Quercus suber and evergreen holm oak Quercus rotundifolia. But human influence has been very strong in this Park for centuries, as shepherds, farmers and miners have continually altered the vegetation. This is particularly obvious for the broom Genista spp., gum cistus Cistus ladanifer and Lusitania heath Erica ssp. which cover some areas and have taken the place of the original forests.

This ecological variety explains the presence of various animal communities in spite of the negative impact of certain human activities. The Park contains numerous animal species, notably reptiles and amphibians, including respectively 70% and 80% of all the species in Portugal. There are also endangered species, such as Bonelli’s eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus and the eagle owl Bubo bubo. The Park also has an important historic and cultural heritage, with Megalithic structures (dolmens and menhirs), cave paintings and the Roman ruins of Ammaia. There are also many interesting examples of civil, military and religious architecture.

In the north of the Park one can see small and medium-sized farms and the traditional buildings are of two floors, while in the south there are only one-storey buildings, lime-washed and with very large chimneys, as well as the typical montes Alentejanos (very large farming estates) with large areas of cork oak and holm oak and with extensive crops and cattle-raising.