Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Beja > Alvito > Alvito
The Torre Do Bem Relogio is discreetly positioned in the Tapada do Lucas neighborhood, a serene area of the locality of Alvito, in the district of Beja. Its implantation in this neighborhood gives it a more reserved setting, away from the central hustle and bustle, but still accessible for those seeking to discover the historical corners of the village.
Rising above the Alentejo landscape, the tower presents itself as a local landmark, marking the silhouette of the settlement.
Although specific historical records about the Torre Do Bem Relogio are scarce, its existence dates back to a period when towers of this nature played a fundamental role in community life.
Traditionally, structures with clocks were crucial points for regulating the time and daily routines of the populations, marking the hours and possibly calling the inhabitants for important events or celebrations. Its presence in Alvito suggests a legacy of service to the local community, being a silent testimony to the passage of centuries and the evolution of the village, maintaining its presence as a link between the past and the present.
The Torre Do Bem Relogio presents itself as a structure of simple and robust design, characteristic of the vernacular architecture of the Alentejo region. Built with local materials, likely stone and mortar, its silhouette is imposing due to its verticality, albeit without great ornamentation.
The essential elements that identify a tower with a timekeeping function are observed, namely the openings where the clock mechanism or bells would be housed, allowing the sound to spread throughout the locality. Its durability and unadorned form reflect practical functionality and an intrinsic connection to the rural and historical context of Alvito.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.2560727,-7.9923065
Coordinates DMS: 38°15'21.9"N 07°59'32.3"W