Beja, capital of the Lower Alentejo, is a city with a long and fascinating history. It is believed to have been founded around 400 B.C. by the Celts, who named it Conistorgis. The city was also inhabited by the Carthaginians. The earliest references to Beja appear in the writings of Ptolemy and Polybius in the 2nd century B.C

The Romans called it Pax Julia, making it one of the four chancelleries of Lusitania created by Emperor Augustus. Beja’s importance is evident from the several Roman roads that pass through the city.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city was inhabited by Suebi, Alans, and Visigoths, the latter calling it Paca.

Between the 8th century and 1162, Beja was under Arab rule, during which it adopted the name Beja—a name also shared by a city in Tunisia. In 1162, the Christians definitively conquered Beja, and it received a charter (foral) in 1524.

Today, Beja is the capital of the Lower Alentejo, with a population of about 22,000, and one of Portugal’s largest municipalities, covering approximately 1,150 km².

Legend of Beja

According to legend, when Beja was a small settlement of huts surrounded by dense woodland, a deadly serpent terrorized the population. The solution came by poisoning a bull and leaving it in the forest, killing the serpent. This legend is why a bull appears on the city’s coat of arms.

Points of Interest

Church of Santa Maria da Feira
Clock Tower
Beja Castle
Pelourinho of Beja (pillory)
Roman Arch (Évora Gate)
Hermitage of Santo André
Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Beja Public Garden
City Park
Beja Airport

Museums

Regional Museum of Beja – Queen Dona Leonor Museum
Jorge Vieira Museum
Botanical Museum

Festivals & Fairs

Ovibeja – 1st weekend of May