Monsanto, is sometimes called "the most Portuguese village in Portugal," is a medieval settlement in central Portugal, perched on a granite hilltop in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova. Its unique architecture, where houses are built between and beneath enormous boulders, makes it a fascinating village. The village has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has seen the rule of Romans, Visigoths, and Moors before being reclaimed by the Portuguese in the 12th century. The imposing Monsanto Castle, originally built by the Knights Templar, is a testament to its strategic past.

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Monsanto’s streets are a living museum, where stone houses seem to merge with the surrounding landscape. Landmarks such as the Clock Tower, the Chapel of São Miguel, and the Pelourinho (old pillory) transport visitors back in time. The village’s annual Festival of the Holy Cross, held on May 3rd, is a cherished tradition where locals reenact a legendary siege by carrying flower-filled pottery jugs to the castle.