As early as 1199, Nisa saw D. Sancho I donated the Herdade da Açafa to the Order of the Temple. This territory, bounded briefly to the north by the Tagus river and to the south, included part of the present-day territories of the municipalities of Nisa and Castelo de Vide, as well as a portion of Spanish territory close to the present-day border.
the French who colonized Nisa
The aim of these subsidies was to establish colonies in abandoned and depopulated areas, and thus defend the territory. The Templars built a fortress to defend them from the infidels and signify their possession of these territories. At the same time, the monarch announced the arrival of French settlers, who arrived in stages.
The last group was destined to colonize the Açafa territory. They settled near the fortresses built by the warrior monks and erected dwellings, founding colonies which they named after their native lands. This is how the town of Nisa came into being, with the first inhabitants coming from Nice to build their "New Nice".
Thus were also born Arêz (from Arles), Montalvão (from Montauban) and Tolosa (from Toulouse). The first charter was therefore given to the village of Nisa between 1229 and 1232 by the master Dom Frei Estêvão de Belmonte. In 1512, D. Manuel I granted a new charter to the village, the word Nisa was written with two "s", i.e. Nissa, probably under the influence of the word Nice.
Arêz and Montalvão were annexed to the municipality of Nisa by decree on November 6, 1836, and Alpalhão and Tolosa by decree on August 3, 1853, which were deannexed in 1895 and annexed again in 1898. Nisa is a beautiful Alentejo town, the seat of a municipality, characterized by its typical colorful striped houses, in a quiet and peaceful region, famous for its tasty sheep's milk cheese.
Nisa's origins date back to the Neolithic period, as evidenced by the numerous Neolithic remains in the area. The village developed from a castral settlement at the top of the Nossa Senhora da Graça hill, and was later inhabited and influenced by the Romans.
Visit Nisa and the surrounding area,
In this village This tranquil village boasts an interesting heritage, including the 13th-century castle, the village gates that remain from the original six (the village and Montalvão gates), the 15th-century Mother Church and the 16th-century Church of Mercy with an interesting museum of sacred art, the 17th-century Calvary Chapel and the 16th-century Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, or the interesting Anta de S-Gens, part of a group of four megalithic monuments.
At the top of the village, some 3 km away, is the beautiful 16th-century chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça, with several later modifications, famous for its pilgrimage, which takes place every year on Easter Monday.
Situated 300 meters above sea level, the view from the adjacent belvedere is fantastic, as is the view from the 460-meter-high Serra de S. Miguel. The mineral waters of Fadagosa, around 10 km from the town, are very popular, being frequented by people from all over the country, especially during the spa season which lasts from April to November.
In addition to its famous cheese, Nisa is also famous for its traditional red clay pots, with their typical chanterelles and pots decorated with small white stones with floral motifs, as well as for bobbin lace and alinhavados (embroidery).
