Falconry, an ancient practice involving the training and flight of birds of prey, remains popular in the Alentejo region. Originally used for hunting and gathering food, this activity has evolved over centuries and is now part of the local culture, involving species such as falcons, eagles, and buzzards.
In Portugal, this tradition has been included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage National Register since 2016. The knowledge associated with this practice is passed down from generation to generation through training and preparation, and in recent years, particular attention has been paid to bird welfare, habitat conservation, and respect for nature.
The activity has two traditional formats. In high-altitude flight, falcons are released to gain altitude and pursue prey in the air. In low-altitude flight, birds such as buzzards and eagles take off from the falconer's palm and follow trajectories close to the ground, tracking the terrain and vegetation.
Those who wish to see falconry up close can visit Vila Galé Collection Alter Real, a four-star hotel in Alter do Chão. This complex is located near Coudelaria de Alter, which was founded by King D. João V in 1748 and is considered the oldest continuously operating site in the world, dedicated to breeding purebred Lusitanian horses.
The visit includes falcon flight demonstrations and the opportunity to try 'flying with a bird in a glove,' during which the visitor interacts with the predators, guiding them toward their glove. The hotel also features a Falconry Museum, displaying knowledge about the practice and animal handling.
In addition to the bird presentations, the stud farm offers tours, riding lessons, galloping, and harness driving—three disciplines of equestrianism. The hotel is situated on the grounds of Herdade da Tapada do Arneiro, a vast area of about 800 hectares, where outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and horseback riding are also available.
The hotel's infrastructure includes 77 apartments, two outdoor pools for adults and one for children, a spa complex with an indoor heated pool, a regional cuisine restaurant, a bar, a library, conference rooms, and a banquet hall. There is also a wine tasting room and a restored old olive oil mill with a wood-fired oven.
Accommodation starts from 150 euros per couple. Further information can be found on the Vila Galé Collection Alter Real website.
Another option for observing falcons in action is Badoca Safari Park, located in Vila Nova de Santo André. The park covers an area of 90 hectares and houses about 600 animals from over 80 species, including zebras, giraffes, and even kangaroos.
One of the complex's activities is a presentation of birds of prey featuring eagles, hawks, and vultures. For 30 minutes, a trainer demonstrates the animals' flight and discusses the characteristics of each, related to their habitat. The demonstration also reveals the anatomy of the animals and their feeding habits, distinguishing between predators that kill prey and scavengers that consume it. Visitors also observe simulations of hunting scenes inspired by the birds' behavior in nature.
Falconry sessions are held twice a day; the schedule is provided at the reception upon arrival at the park. Ticket prices start from 24 euros. Details are available on the official Badoca Safari Club website.
Published in 1890, O Cortiço is considered one of the most relevant naturalist novels in Brazilian literature. The work was written by Aluísio Azevedo (1857-1913) and explores life in 19th-century Rio de Janeiro society, detailing the daily life of a housing complex where the lives of the residents intertwine in a complex scenario of passions, ambitions, and tragedies.
The narrative presents various stories and relationships between its characters, as illustrated in specific scenes:
Jerônimo and his companion, Piedade, lived in room 35. His character and strength guaranteed him respect at the quarry adjacent to the tenement. However, his life took a turn after witnessing Rita Baiana dancing. Passionate, he began consuming cachaça, spending excessively, and finally abandoned his wife and daughter to dedicate himself to Rita.
Dona Isabel, a resident of house 15, dedicated herself entirely to educating Pombinha, aiming to marry her to João da Costa, a merchant, with the goal of restoring her former social status. The mother only permitted the marriage after the young woman's first menstruation. However, the union was brief because Pombinha betrayed her husband, was expelled, and ended up becoming a prostitute.
In number 12, where Marciana lived, another dramatic situation occurred. She was extremely meticulous about cleaning the house, but went mad when her daughter, Florinda, only 15 years old, became pregnant by an employee of the shop, João Romão. Since he did not assume paternity, the girl ran away after being assaulted by her mother. Consequently, Marciana was evicted from the tenement.
Rita Baiana lived in number 9. Beautiful and skilled at samba, she was the lover of the capoeirista Firmo, but also attracted the interest of the neighbor, Jerônimo, who was Portuguese. During the dispute over Rita's affection, Firmo wounded the Lusitanian with a razor. Later, Jerônimo recovered and eliminated his rival in an ambush.
Miranda acted as an antagonist to João Romão. He lived in the townhouse next to the store and watched his property gradually surrounded by the growth of the tenement. The merchant valued status above all else; he married Dona Estela because of the dowry and harbored doubts about whether he was truly the father of his daughter, Zulmirinha. This generated envy in him regarding how Romão prospered and his relationship with Bertoleza.
Paula, known as the Witch, possessed striking physical characteristics, such as being ugly, corpulent, having bulging eyes, and threatening teeth. Furthermore, she was capable of treating skin problems and fevers through prayers and blessings. She wished to burn down the tenement and succeeded in doing so on the second attempt. After the fire, João Romão had to rebuild the place, transforming it into a grand and aristocratic space.
João Romão started his venture by inheriting the tavern where he had worked for twelve years. Later, he bought land behind the tavern at an auction and built three small houses, marking the beginning of the tenement. He used Bertoleza's money to expand the business (in addition to owning a quarry in the back). Although he liked to delay payments, he was effective at collecting debts, which made him even richer. In his pursuit of social ascent, he distanced himself from Bertoleza to try to marry Zulmirinha.
To achieve her freedom, the slave Bertoleza gathered twenty thousand reis. However, she was tricked by her lover, João Romão: the Portuguese provided her with a false freedom document and used the money to increase sales. This happened because Bertoleza did everything for him, working from early morning until late at night, taking care of the shop and the residence they shared.
