monuments of the
Cromlech of Xerez Due to its geographic position, the hilltop of Monsaraz always occupied an important place in the history of the municipality, having been occupied by different peoples since the pre-historical record. It is one of the oldest settlements in southern Portugal, occupied since
pre-history, with examples of permanent habitation including hundreds of
megalithic monuments. These include the
Neolithic remains of:
Megalithic Monuments of Herdade de Xerez,
Olival da Pega Dolmens,
Menhir of Bulhoa,
Rocha dos Namorados Menhir and
Outeiro Menhir. The hill, on which the main settlement is located, was a pre-historic fortification, or
castro, that was the basis of pre-Roman occupation and funerary temples, carved from the local rock. Monsaraz was reorganized during the
Roman occupation, and was later successively occupied by the
Visigoths,
Arabs,
Mozarabs,
Jews, and, after the
Reconquista, Christians loyal to
Afonso Henriques. In the 8th century, Monsaraz fell under the dominion of Arab forces who occupied the Iberian Peninsula, becoming known as
Saris or
Sharish, and following the control of the
Taifa of Badajoz (one of the more prominent Arab centres at the time). The name Monsaraz originates from the word
Xarez or
Xerez, the
Iberian transliteration of the Arabic
Saris or
Sharish, for the
Gum Rockrose (
Cistus ladanifer L.), a plant that still today prospers in poor, dry, acidic
slate-based soil that surrounds Monsaraz. The Iberian words
Xarez/
Xerez latter evolved to the Portuguese
Xaraz and to the Spanish (Castilian)
Jerez (the Spanish name for the
sherry wine). The settlement therefore came to be known as Monsaraz, originating from
Monte Xaraz, i.e., fortified hill surrounded by Gum Rockroses. Its naturally prominent position, being the highest hill in the area as well as its proximity to the deep Guadiana valley, made it a location of strategic importance. In 1167, the Castle and
medina was taken by
Geraldo Sem Pavor, in an expedition that came from Évora (which had just been retaken, about the same time). After, Afonso Henriques' defeat in
Badajoz, Monsaraz was once again taken by Muslim forces. In 1232, supported by the
Knights Templar, King
Sancho II definitively retook the citadel and town, placing it under the control of the Templars, and obligating them to establish a garrison that would protect the border. The Christian repopulation of Monsaraz ended around the reign of
Afonso III, when it was assigned an
alcalde, the knight Martim Anes, and first letter of
foral. In 1263 it was already an important fortress, being the head of a municipality, with large privileges. The local economy was fundamentally based on
agriculture and
livestock, existing some small artesnal industries producing
terra cotta earthenware and hammered
copper. After the Portuguese
Interregnum (1383-1385), the town of Monsaraz was integrated into the dominions of the
House of Braganza under
Nuno Álvares Pereira. By 1412, it is inherited by Fernando, his son, becoming one of the more precious profit centres in the Ducal estates. In 1512, King
Manuel of Portugal issued a
foral (
charter) to the
Vila de Monsaraz, reformulating the public and jurisdictional administration of the municipality. The demographic crises created by the
plague forced the
Duke of Bragança, in 1527 to carry out small
land reforms in order to promote the settlement Monsaraz. The small plots were established in the area surrounding this village. Following the
Portuguese Restoration War, in 1640, the castle received new tactical defenses, that included a new walled
bastion, that allowed the city-fort to be integrated into the system of defences that connected Elvas, Juromenha, Olivença and Mourão. The condition of the walled medieval city, the growth of the farm estates of Reguengos, the richness of the artesnal production and vineyards, and more importantly, the loyalty towards the
Miguelist forces during the
Liberal Wars were all factors that contributed to the shifting of the municipal seat from Monsaraz to Vila Nova de Reguengos in 1838, a fact that became permanent after 1851. ==Geography==