Panorama taken near the Santo António Chapel in Alqueva, Alentejo, Portugal, in addition to the Chapel, we can see, the Alqueva dam and the view of the village of Alqueva.

Santo António Chapel - Alqueva - Alqueva visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Santo António Chapel - Alqueva' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Distrito Évora.

Alqueva, in the Alentejo region of Portugal, is a small village of about 350 inhabitants. The village gives its name to the nearby Alqueva Dam, which is now becoming a tourist attraction in itself. The Dam sits on the Guadiana River to create the largest reservoir in Portugal and Western Europe.

The Alentejo is the driest and hottest region in Portugal, being prone to persistent droughts. This climate and a lack of infrastructure impeded economic development of the area. The first references to the need to create a water reserve in the Alentejo are from at least 100 years ago. This specific project dates from 1957, when it was first proposed as the “Alentejo Irrigation Plan”. Spain and Portugal share the Guadiana River and signed an agreement in 1968 to regulate the use of the water.

Despite these preparations and two years preliminary work in 1976, the first concreting didn't take place until 1998. The main body of the dam was completed in 2002 and the 96 metre high floodgates were closed. By 2006 the lake was filled to the planned level, with a surface area of 250 km². This resource provides irrigation for the Alentejo region as well as water sports and a growing tourist industry on the lake.

The complex project also produces hydroelectric power, with a capacity of 240 megawatts.

Other attractions in and near Alqueva include the biggest ostrich farm in Portugal, the castle of Monasaz and the famous vineyards of Esporão. The city of Évora, which has been classified as a world heritage site, is well worth a visit - you can see the temple of Diana left from the Roman era and the city's churches.

Largo da Igreja
7220-014 Alqueva, Portel
Évora Tourist Office
Praça do Giraldo, 73
Telefone: 266777071
Fax: 266732075
Email: cmevora.dpt@mail.evora.net

Flight: Lisbon International Airport (LIS)
Flight: Beja Airport
Road: From Lisbon: A2; A6; N114; N 385