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It’s one of the oldest Portuguese towns southern of the Tagus river. It has been occupied since pre-historic times, existing on its vicinities about one and a half hundred megalithic monuments. The hill where this village stand probably was a pre-historic fortification, and in the surrounding area there have been found several pre-roman anthropomorphic graves carved on the stone itself.

This primitive town was romanized during the Roman period, and latter was occupied by Visigoths, Arabs, Mozarabs, Jews, and after the reconquista was christianized.

The name Monsaraz originates from the word Xarez or Xerez, which were the Iberian equivalents of the Arab words SARIS or SHARISH, the Arabic names of the Gum rockrose (Cistus ladanifer L.). A plant that still today prospers in poor, dry, acidic slate based soil that surrounds Monsaraz. The Iberian words Xarez/Xerez latter evolved to the Portuguese Xaraz and to the Castilian Jerez (the Spanish name for the Sherry wine). Therefore Monsaraz originated from the name Monte Xaraz (Mount Xaraz), a fortified hill surrounded by gun rockroses.

It’s natural position, the highest hill in the area and proximity to the deep Guadiana valley, made it a location of strategic importance.

Wikipedia