Portugal is located in the Iberian Peninsula and has a varied climate from north to south. Vidigueira is a small town located in the Alentejo region known for its plains, vineyards, and Mediterranean climate. Vidigueira has a population of around 7000 and is surrounded by hills and the Guadiana river. It offers a good quality of life with various cultural and recreational activities. Vidigueira is most notable as the birthplace of famous explorer Vasco da Gama, who was given the title of Earl of Vidigueira for his achievements in sailing to India in the 15th century.

1. PORTUGAL Portugal is located in the Iberian Peninsula. It has a total area of 92 389 km2 (including the islands of Madeira and the Azores). The Climate is maritime temperate: rainy and cold in the North, hot and dry in the South. The relief is mountainous in the North of the river Tagus while in the midlands and south there are valleys and long plains. Estimate population in 2008 : 10 627 250 hab.

2. Alentejo Vidigueira is located in the region of Alentejo, in the south of Portugal. Alentejo is well known by its long plains, cork trees, long extensions of vineyards and olive trees, with a Mediterranean climate.

3. Vidigueira Just in the heart of Alentejo, the council of Vidigueira has na area of 315,8 Km2. It is the fourth smallest one in the region of Baixo Alentejo, with a population of about 7000 inhabitants. It’s surrounded by Mendro hill to the north, Guadiana river to the east and the vast plain which stretches to the south.

4. Vidigueira offers a good quality of life to its inhabitants ; relax and pure air, a wide range of activities from sport to culture. Vidigueira is the main town in the council where there are concentrated the most public places to visit, enjoy and meet people , such as the swimming-pool, tourist office, gardens, pubs, cinema, internet point, … The motto here is “ a land of bread with people of peace” Vidigueira is most well known for Vasco da Gama , a famous navigator from the time of the Discoveries – 15th century.

5. TOWN HALL This is the building of the Town Hall which dates from 1941.

6. CLOCK TOWER This is one of the Ex- Libris in Vidigueira due to the bell of the clock which was built with the melted iron from the bell of one of the sailing vessels that accompanied Vasco da Gama to India . The bell has the inscription of 1520.

7. CASTLE ( RESIDENCE OF THE GAMAS) From the castle there is only one watching tower where we can see the Gamas coat of arms. Next to the tower there is a window of the “Manuelino” style.

8. MUSEUM The Museum exhibition is installed in the building of the former primary school ( built in 1884 ), with two separate sections. One refers to the history of primary education in the county and the other to the economic framework and the development of the county through its social - economic activities from the 30s. The building was transformed into a museum in 1991.

9. PUBLIC SWIMMING-POOL The Swimming Pool is classified as the best in the district and one of the best in the country, with 3 outdoor and 2 indoor pools. It also has a tennis court and a small park. They are open to the public throughout the year offering summer and winter swimming activities as well as other different sports.

10. IMPORTANT MONUMENTS S. FRANCISCO CHURCH Dating from the 18th century - 1732 MISERICÓRDIA CHURCH Built in 1592.

11. S. RAFAEL HERMITAGE Dating from the 17th century, it was built to place the image of S. Rafael that accompanied Vasco da Gama to India. SANTA CLARA HERMITAGE Dating from the 16th century ( 1555). It’s the oldest one from the five around Vidigueira. It’s on Manuelino style.

12. S. PEDRO HERMITAGE Dating from the 17th century, it offers the visitors a wonderful panoramic scenery. CARMO MONASTERY Built by Vasco da Gama with a chapel to bury all the members of the Gamas family. There lay Vasco da Gama’s mortal remains for more than three centuries until they were taken to Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. Now it’s a private property.

13. Vasco da Gama Was born in the small town of Sines between 1468 and 1469. He was given the title of Earl of Vidigueira by the king D. ManuelI as a reward of his great and valued achievement of sailing to India. Maybe he spent his happiest and most relaxing days in Vidigueira. Here lay his mortal remains until they were taken to Jerónimo’s Monastery in Lisbon.

14. Frei António das chagas Was born in Vidigueira in 1631 under the name of António Fonseca Soares. He was a poet, writer and soldier in the wars of Restoration. He had a life of adventures and misadventures until he became a clergyman. He died in 1682 leaving a great literary work “ Spiritual letters”. Considered one of the most honourable individuality he is the Patron Saint of our school.