ROUTE OF NIGHTLIFE CULTURAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Art, innovation and culture project that crosses the border and illuminates the history of Portugal and Spain.
It is in Raia - in the border region between Alentejo and Extremadura - that the Ilumina Raia Project comes to life, with new night routes. Discover all the cultural, historical and gastronomic heritage, among hidden medieval towns and villages.

The brand “Night Cultural Tourism Destination” was born from the desire of the partners of the EURORACE (Alentejo-Central-Extremadura) Euroregion to place outdoor lighting on monuments of historical interest.
Due to the need to ensure defense and surveillance in the border region, the two kingdoms built castles and fortresses, which bear witness to centuries of history and examples of military architecture.

Led by the Iberdrola Foundation of Spain, the Ilumina Raia initiative has as partners the Regional Tourism Entity of Alentejo and Ribatejo, the Regional Tourism Promotion Agency of Alentejo, the Directorate-General for Tourism of Extremadura and the Extremadura Tourism Cluster.
ILUMINA Raia: Visit Monuments of Historical Interest
HERMITAGE OF OUR
LADY OF CARRIÓN
CASTLE
OF OUGUELA
CASTLE OF VALENCIA
OF ALCÁNTARA
ERMITA DE NOSSA
SENHORA DE CARRIÓN
CASTLE
OF OUGUELA
CASTLE OF VALENCIA
OF ALCÁNTARA
Ilumina Raia: A Time Journey Across Borders
Discover the new route of villages and historic villages, between Alentejo and Extremadura, that seem forgotten in time. Breathe in the clean country air, away from the crowds and pollution of big cities.

Feel welcomed by these gentle people, who welcome with a familiar accent and nod to travelers as they cross borders daily.
Car trip, through the mountains, the plains and the hills, covered by cork oaks, olive trees and yellow wheat. Observe the animals, raised outdoors, on abundant pastures. And cross the Roman stone bridges.

Savor regional cuisine, rich in flavors and aromatic herbs. Where conversations are accompanied by a glass of wine and there is no shortage of bread, crumbs, cheese, sausages and olives on the table. The iberian pig  is the king of the menu and the conventual candies were born in neighboring monasteries and convents.

When you arrive at your destination, walk through the historic neighborhoods and the stone walls, without getting lost through the narrow and labyrinthine streets, up to castelo.

Enjoy the whitewashed houses, with their wooden windows, painted yellow and blue, and decorated with flowered vases, tiles and religious symbols, which bless those who pass by and take their time to look.

In the heart of the village, walk around the historic center - with its squares, springs, fountains, arches and pillories - the meeting point of the locations.

At night, under the cloak of the stars And the sound of cicadas, visit the castles, fortresses, and illuminated churches of the new Route ”Cultural Night Tourism Destination”.
Ilumina Raia Project
PRIMARY BENEFICIARY
BENEFICIARIES
PARTNERS
ILUMINA RAIA PROJECT
PRIMARY BENEFICIARY
BENEFICIARIES
PARTNERS
CO-FUNDED by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A program
Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027