Medieval streets, rooftop wine and traditional pottery: IWP members and guests explored Monsaraz and São Pedro do Corval on 17 October, discovering Alentejo’s history, craftsmanship and a little romantic folklore along the way.

The day began in the medieval hilltop village of Monsaraz, with a stroll through its narrow streets and historical sites, followed by a glass of wine on the rooftop of the Ervideira wine shop.

After free time for lunch, the group continued to São Pedro do Corval to discover its colourful ceramics and visit a traditional pottery workshop.

The group also visited the Pedra dos Namorados (Lovers’ Stone), a distinctive mushroom-shaped granite rock associated with an old marriage tradition. On Easter Monday, unmarried women would toss small stones onto its broad top: each failed attempt was said to represent another year’s wait for marriage.

One local legend tells of two young lovers who met secretly behind the rock because their families disapproved. When the girl’s suspicious father followed her, she claimed she was consulting the stone about her marriage prospects. She persuaded him to try it himself—with his back turned—giving her sweetheart a chance to escape!

See the day through Alexandra Williamson’s lens—watch her reel in our Facebook group.