Santo Aleixo da Restauração


Santo Aleixo da Restauração is a former civil parish in the municipality of Moura, southern Portugal, along the Portuguese-Spanish border. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Safara e Santo Aleixo da Restauração.

History

Much of the history of Santo Aleixo da Restauração has been lost over time, but its origins have been fixed to a period around 4000-3000 B.C., from the existence of prehistoric dolmens and menhirs scattered in the region. Further, remnants from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods encountered within the territory of Moura presuppose a human occupation to a primordial period of settlement.
In 1252, the region was actually called Campo de Gamos, and occupied by farmers and resident serfs from the areas of Moura and Noudar.
It was only on 3 May 1957 that the parish began to be called Santo Aleixo da Restauração, a toponymy derived from the fact it was considered a historical place during the patriotic Restoration War between Portugal and Spain.

Geography

Santo Aleixo is located 27 kilometres from the municipal seat of Moura, on the Portuguese border with Spain.
The 2001 census indicated a population of 842 inhabitants, one of the parishes with great mobility, owing to a small younger population.
In addition to its local town council, Santo Alexio is supported by several infrastructures that include: the Casa do Povo, a primary school, postal stations, pharmacy, medical centre, parochial and social centre, the Arlindo Caldeira culture centre and funeral home.

Economy

Agriculture and pastoral herding, are the primary sources of income in this region, supported by an arts and crafts sector that retains many of the traditional activities of the parish.

Architecture

With a long history, Santo Aleixo da Restauração conserves many of the monuments constructed over its existence, including the parochial churches, the Convent da Tomina, obelisks, dolmens, fountains and chapels:

Prehistoric

A primary focus of local culture is the musical group “Os Restauradores”.
Annually, the parish celebrates several religious and secular festivals, including the Festa de Santo António, the Festa de Santo Aleixo and the Festa da Tomina.