Monsanto is a small village in Portugal. It is located three hundred kilometers from Lisbon. Probably, each of us at least once came across unsurpassed pictures of this village with its extraordinary buildings. Surely, they saw the fortress built by the Templars or looked at the grandiose boulders.
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History
The village occupies a rather picturesque place on the slope of a mountain almost eight hundred meters high, and the name of this, to be precise, granite rock translates as "Holy Mountain". The village was founded in the distant twelfth century.
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Local residents decided that the boulders are of historical value and during the construction they built up free space between them, in a word - the people used stones as walls, roofs, foundations and, in fact, as the main building material. And one cannot but agree with this, because the stone is nothing more than granite.
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All this forces us to present an excerpt from some film about ancient people, about the formation of man, about his development, and go into deeply philosophical thought. But this is not what this article is about. As a result, from under the firm, but creative hand of man, the world saw unique structures in which the gracefulness of nature and the exquisite creativity of human hands are intertwined. Even the locals themselves say that it is impossible to make out where the stone ends and the hut begins.
Due to the lack of active archaeological excavations, a huge number of questions remain unanswered. But archaeologists are not confused by this fact and they confidently assert that the Romans, as well as the Lusitanians and Arabs, lived in this village. In turn, this is confirmed by the household items of primitive people found in the area. Archaeologists were invited, who conducted not deep excavations and came to the conclusion that people in these parts have lived since the Paleolithic era.
In addition, it was the first king of Portugal who conquered the settlement from the Moors. And then the Templars appear in history, to whom the king presented this village as a gift. It was they who built the above-mentioned fortress on the top of the hill, they later rebuilt it, erecting a defensive wall around it.
Just imagine that this fortress has withstood more than one era, more than one leadership, generation change, bad weather and even climate change. But unfortunately in the nineteenth century it was destroyed as a result of the explosion of a gunpowder store, at Christmas, but unfortunately the reason remained unknown.
All this betrays a certain mystery to the village, walking along the narrow streets you imagine yourself as one of the children's company, who, with wooden sticks in their hands, imagine themselves as knights of the round table and win in a seemingly hopeless battle.
The most portuguese village in Portugal
By the way, Monsanto is also called "The most Portuguese village in Portugal", and this is not without reason, as the symbol of this title is none other than a silver rooster. According to the locals, he controls all entrances and approaches to the territory that he is guarded from the tower, which can be seen at the entrance to the village.
Although some Portuguese argue that Monsanta is completely different from most of the local villages. Others argue that this is a one-of-a-kind settlement that repulsed many attacks from the French conquerors, and did not break from prolonged sieges and remained the property of Portugal.
No matter how radically the opinions of local residents differ, they are indisputably proud of their village and in every possible way try to tell tourists fascinating historical details.
Bright colors and stunning landscapes
Let's not go deep into history and pay attention to the beauty of nature, the brightness of the colors with which it paints its stunning landscapes. Anyone who has visited Monsante at least once will never forget this beauty. From the very beginning, looking at the locals, you understand that they prefer a measured and calm rhythm of life. They frankly admire the landscapes that open up to their gaze every day and no matter how much they live there every day in this beauty, new notes of sophistication and incomparability of mother nature appear.
Walking along the small streets, you get the feeling that you are walking along the fabulous path of the city in which the giants live and you are always afraid that at this very moment a huge head of an unknown fabulous monster will appear from behind another rock. When meeting local residents, one would like to ask how long they have lived here, hoping to hear the unique, slightly fabulous and mysterious story of their generation, which was initiated by the valiant warriors.
Monsant Village Legend
I would also like to tell another fascinating legend that describes the cunning and ingenuity of the people who lived there long before us. So, it was some year after the seven-year siege of the fortress, the inhabitants ate everything that was from the provisions, there was only one cow and a sack of grain.
The besieged sighed heavily, realizing that the end was very near and the remaining cow would not delay this moment much. But then, surprisingly to everyone, a certain woman suddenly proposed a completely risky plan, namely, she offered to feed the cow with the remaining grain and give it to her opponents. It would seem why? But the woman was unusually wise and the plan worked.
"How?" - you ask. It would seem very simple, having fed the four-legged animal, they threw the cow on the heads of the enemies. Opponents crazy from such an act could not help but pay attention to the stuffed stomach of the animal and decided that if after so many years Monsanta is able to feed the animal for slaughter, then there is not the slightest sense to continue this battle and the troops retreated, leaving the village not defeated.
Although no one has ever been interested in the name of that woman, but every child knows this story and certainly imagines that she is a representative of their ancient family.
To summarize all that has been said, if you are a person who infinitely appreciates the individuality of nature, the beauty and silence of being, this place is ideal for relaxation. You will get an unforgettable feeling of fabulousness and magic, plunging into childhood dreams, hidden deep in the mind. Travel, because it will give you a lot of unforgettable emotions!
