The region of Lavre has been inhabitated
for as long as there is memory. The oldest
reference to Lavar (original designation of
Lavre) as a place name dates from 1186.
Lavre grewed to one of the biggest villages
in the Alentejo region. By the beginning of
the 18th century, about 2000 people were
living in Lavre and its surroundings. At
that time, important structures have been
built, like the bridge which can ben seen
on the picture beside, as well as the Igreja
de Santa Misericórdia (Catholic Charity
Church, shown on the other picture).
However, the enormous devastation caused
by the 1755 earthquake, made an abrupt
end to the development and Lavre declined
in importance and size and faced great
economic difficulties.

Today, Lavre counts about 1000
inhabitants and is a very beautiful, friendly
and, from the historical point of view,
interesting village which is worth to visit
and where it is possible to appreciate and
taste all the aspects of the typical lifestyle
of the Alentejo region.

The Courela da Ponte-Velha farm dues its name to the fact that the remainders of the Ponte Velha (old bridge) lay at the border of the farm's area.