ALQUEVA A CELESTIAL PEARL FOR STARGAZING
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IDA. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource.
The region of the Great Lake Alqueva in Alentejo is a wonderful place to see the stars, constellations and distant galaxies such as the Milky Way. The unique characteristics of the night sky with a very low rate of light pollution, in the municipalities of Alandroal, Reguengos, Monsaraz, Mourão, Barrancos, Portel and Moura ensure the ideal conditions for an excellent observation of the dark sky. In Alqueva the sky has good atmospheric conditions for stargazing most of the year. Such skies are disappearing in Europe, where most of the population has no longer the privilege to observe an unpolluted sky.
Alqueva is a unique region very rich in cultural and natural heritage with, various visible megalithic remains whish suggest that our ancestors symbolically valued the landscape, relating it to the diversity of celestial movements, small picturesque villages and opportunities for to develop different tourist activities that could start during the day and extent during the night. The experiences implemented through an Alqueva Dark Sky Route allows tourists to undertake several night activities such as stargazing, bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife observation, canoeing, dinners on the lake shore, activities with children and even wine tasting.
It is wonderful to observe close up the rugged, cratered surface of the Moon and study the movement of the four main moons of Jupiter. To find Ursa Major, Ursa Minor and Cassiopeia, but do not just stop there. Stroll through the eyes many other constellations, visible in a wide range depending on the season of the year. For example, to locate Lion, Virgo and Libra, spreading out your eyes by Scorpio and Sagittarius, following the mysterious Capricornus, without forgetting Cygnus, Aquila, Lyra, passing the eyes through the majestic Milky Way, observe Aquarium, the faint Pisces, stretching the Gaze to Pegasus and Aries, visit the magnificent Taurus which night after night challenges Orion. Follow for Gemini and be sure to see Auriga. All this surrounded by the magnificent nature, sounds and smells.
The Alqueva Dark Sky Route has telescopes and binoculars and it is possible also to learn how to stargaze.
The lodging units integrated in the Alqueva Dark Sky Route are prepared to receive the astro-tourists with services adapted to their specific needs, like late night meals and meals to go for stargazers. The reservations could be made through the contacts in the list available at www.turismoalqueva.pt/dark-sky, or by the following email: genuineland@gmail.com for the option of an organized package. Alqueva is a Celestial pearl in Europe than can be explored by everyone.
The Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve is coordinated by the Genuineland | Alentejo Network of Village Tourism in partnership with the Tourism Lands of the Great Lake Alqueva, the Alentejo Coordination and Regional Development Commission and EDIA, SA.
