about the place
Serpa is a city in the District of Beja, in the Baixo Alentejo, and the seat of a municipality covering 1 105.63 km² with 13 764 inhabitants (2021). King D. Dinis formally established the municipality in 1295 and ordered the reconstruction of the castle and the enclosure of the town within walls; D. Manuel granted it a royal charter in 1513 and, in 1674, the prince regent D. Pedro bestowed upon it the title of 'Notable Town'. It was elevated to city status by Law no. 71/2003, of 26 August. Since the reorganisation of 2025, the municipality comprises six parishes: Brinches, Pias, Serpa (Salvador e Santa Maria), Vale de Vargo, Vila Nova de São Bento and Vila Verde de Ficalho. The river Guadiana runs along the western edge of the municipality. The municipal public holiday falls on the Tuesday after Easter Sunday, and the patron saint is Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe.
