Description Alcácer do Sal

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Alcácer do Sal is a Portuguese city belonging to the Setúbal District, Alentejo region (NUTS II) and Alentejo Litoral sub-region (NUTS III), with about 6 700 inhabitants. Wikipedia

Gracefully aligned on the right bank of the river Sado and extending over a smooth hill, Alcácer do Sal has been populated since very ancient times. To prove it, the archaeological remains found that, going back to the Neolithic, also revealed the passage of Greeks, Phoenicians and other peoples of the Mediterranean basin.

Its Roman name was Salacia Urbs Imperatoria and its great importance in the Empire network is due to its unique situation next to the water road that is the river Sado, which facilitated the flow of products from the interior lands (at the time, wheat oil and wine) to other locations in the Mediterranean, occupied by Rome. Thus, Alcácer was one of the most important inland port cities in the western peninsular and known for the manufacture of salt, added to its place name, and for the industries derived from salting and fish paste.

From the castle, you can see, to the south side, the elbow curve of the Sado river, which bathes a soft green plain, foreshadowing the great Alentejo plain. From here, in the directions of the four cardinal points, magnificent panoramic views over the river and the fields, the most suitable stage to imagine the immense and varied traffic that passed through here.

A walk through Alcácer do Sal reveals the most enchanting part of this city, with its alleys and stairs that climb up to the castle. Take the opportunity to see some monuments of interest such as the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo, the Chapel of Senhor dos Mártires, the Church of Santo António, the Church of Santiago and the Municipal Museum of Archeology.

Nearby, within a radius of 30 km, do not miss the small towns of Aldeia de Santa Susana, Porto de Rei and Torrão or the Vale do Gaio Dam. If you prefer the coast, this coast has very pleasant beaches, among which we choose those of Comporta, Torre, Carvalhal, Raposa or Galé.