The Memory of Light: From Alqueva to the Village of Luz

Abstract

With a maximum height of 96 meters from its foundations, Alqueva is far from being Portugal’s largest dam, but more than a simple dam, Alqueva is a multi-purpose project. It also includes the Guadiana weir, two reservoirs—the Alqueva and Pedrógão reservoirs—spanning the municipalities of Alandroal, Elvas, Évora, Moura, Mourão, Reguengos de Monsaraz, and Portel, as well as an extensive irrigation area of approximately 110,000 hectares, covering twelve municipalities in the Alto and Baixo Alentejo regions: Serpa, Alcácer do Sal, Aljustrel, Alvito, Beja, Cuba, Ferreira do Alentejo, Évora, Moura, Portel, Viana do Alentejo, and Vidigueira.