Cheles is a Spanish border municipality located along the Alqueva Great Lake.

The original urban center, of Muslim origin and built in the area of San Blas, was taken by the Knights Templar in 1231 during the reign of Ferdinand III of Castile. Although it was never a fortified town, unlike the fortresses on the Portuguese side, Cheles experienced its greatest urban development in the 16th century, thanks to the Villena family, the local landowners. During this period, the Church of Our Lady of the Conception, Cheles’ most notable religious structure, was built.

In the 17th century, following border conflicts during the Restoration War, Cheles was depopulated but later resettled by a large number of Portuguese border families.

Its proximity to the Guadiana River is reflected in its culinary specialties, which focus on river fish, such as encaspacho de peixe. The village has very ancient origins, documented in the 13th century in the land holdings of D. João Peres de Aboim (Lord of Portel). At that time, the settlement was known as Amieira da Moura, likely due to its location along the road connecting Évora to Moura.

Cheles is characterized by its whitewashed houses, some built with traditional adobe, and notable religious heritage, including the Chapel of São Romão and the Parish Church Nossa Senhora das Neves. Before the construction of the Alqueva dam, the village was quite isolated, preserving a rich cultural heritage expressed through traditional Alentejo singing and poetry, alongside a unique cuisine rooted in hunting, river fish, and mountain produce.

Places to visit:

Church of Our Lady of the Conception
Chapel of Santo Cristo de la Paz

Cheles River Beach

source: Amieira Marina