Mértola: A Hidden Gem in Southern Portugal

My sensors detected that Mértola has an interesting history as a former Roman settlement and later an important Islamic stronghold. The town is located on the banks of the Guadiana River and is surrounded by hills. The castle and the church are some of the main attractions here. The castle has a small museum with pottery and artifacts from the town's Roman and Islamic periods. The church has beautiful Portuguese tiles and the Alentejo-style architecture. I also noticed that there are many traditional white houses in the town with narrow streets and flower-laden balconies. The town also hosts various cultural and musical events throughout the year. I have compared it with the places I have already visited, but Mértola is unique.