Historically, this area has been of a major strategic role by being the old route which linked the river port of Mértola to the interior of the lower Alentejo, and also because it was the "entrance" of the Campo Braco (White Field), the grazing territory of destination for large herds of cattle and sheep from the 14th to the 17th centuries, in particular, herds of belonging to the 'Royal House'.
Agricultural products grown in the villae nearby and valuable minerals (silver, gold and tin) obtained from the lower Alentejo region were sent from the fluvial port of Mértola via the Guadiana to Southern Hispania and the Mediterranean.
During the reign of Sancho II of Portugal, and from 1228 he conducted a military campaign against the Moors in the region of Alentejo, conquering Aljustrel, Alvalade, Juromenha, Beja and Mértola.