Description of the attraction
Monchique is a small town on the Serra de Monchique, one of the most attractive places in the Algarve. Serra di Monchique is a mountain range located in the northeast of the Algarve.
The city of Monchique has been known since Roman times. It was the Romans who gave him this name and built the baths in Caldas di Monchique, which today is a famous thermal spa. However, historians claim that Monchique has been known since the Stone Age, as evidenced by the found prehistoric tools and several dolmens. Most of the archival information was lost during the Lisbon earthquake in 1755, but it is known that the kings and queens of Portugal visited Monchique to improve their health.
The center of Monchique is made up of many narrow cobblestone streets. There is a small park and a water wheel in the central square. You can wander among the ruins of the Franciscan monastery of St. Mary of the 17th century, visit the chapel of St. Teresa, near which there is a flight of steps leading to a beautiful forest park.
The city can be safely called the "Garden of the Algarve": it is located in the depths of the valley, which is framed by tall trees. Some of them are very old, such as the majestic centenary oak trees.
Nearby is Silves, the former Moorish capital, which houses a large castle built of red sandstone, also known as the Red Fortress.
In addition to the thermal waters, Monchique is also famous for its medroñeira drink. It is a type of aguardente, a Portuguese grape brandy made from the fruit of the strawberry tree and is a typical drink in the Algarve.
