Monday, May 23, 2011

Next stop for the UGA Choir: Serpa, Portugal

Famous for its creamy cheeses, Serpa is a agricultural hilltop town of white houses located in the south-eastern corner of the Alentejo. Situated just 30 km from the Spanish border, it is an excellent base from which to explore the lower eastern side of Portugal, as well as neighboring parts of Spain. The town itself, which is walled, was founded in 400 BC by the Turdelos, one of the original peoples of Iberia. Known to the Romans by the same name, Serpa was later conquered by Geraldo Sem-Pavor in 1166, taken again by the Moors and finally regained in 1232. The town bravely resisted subsequent attacks over the centuries until a brief Spanish occupation occurred in 1707/8. Visitors to Serpa are sometimes serenaded by the town's traditional singers, who are genuine descendants of medieval troubadours.
You will experience Serpa's quaint character while staying at the Hotel Estalagem de San Gens    the night of May 23. Information about the hotel can be found on your Incantato Hotel post.

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