ALTER DO CHÃO
N 39º 12' 00''; W 7º 40' 12'''
Based in the village of Alter do Chão, the Municipality of Alter do Chão has an area of 362.07 km² and 3 562 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into 4 parishes. The municipality is limited to the north by Crato, to the southeast by Monforte, to the south by Fronteira, to the southwest by Avis, and the west by Ponte de Sor.
Among the monuments of the place are a large number of historical houses and mansions, stone fountains, various historical public buildings such as the post office, the bullring, the public market hall, etc., the stud Coudelaria de Alter founded in 1748 or Coudelaria Nacional, a Roman archaeological site among others with a villa rustic, and several churches and other sacred buildings, including today's Pousada Hotel Convento de Altar, the former Baroque convent Convento de Santo António from the 17th century. The historic town center as a whole is also a listed building.
Among the museums, in addition to the Arquivo Histórico Municipal archives, the city museum Museu Municipal de Alter do Chão with three departments should be mentioned. In the listed Casa e Quinta do Álamo - Núcleo Museológico, the upper floors show permanent exhibitions on the history of the district, while the ground floor offers temporary exhibitions. The other two museum facilities are the Castelo de Alter, and the Ruínas Romanas e Centro Interpretativo - Ferragial d ’El Rei archaeological site, which includes archaeological excavations and a visitor center.
Hiking and riding tours are offered in the district, and bird watching is also offered.
