Beja - the second largest city in the province of Alentejo, which covers an area one-third of Portugal. The city is located on a hill and is full of historic buildings with Arab history. In ancient times the city was the location of great strategic importance, as it towered above the plain lands of the Baixo Alentejo.

The first settlers in the city have appeared in Celtic times. A little later, the city was ruled by the Romans. In the days of the Visigoths in Beja residence of Visigoth bishop, and the city was named Puck. About this time the church was built Santo Amaro, which is close to the watchtower of the castle town. This church - one of the four surviving pre-Romanesque churches of the era in Portugal, and is also one of the oldest churches in Bezhu. Some parts of the building date back to the VI century. The facade is decorated in the style of the window "Mudejar". Columns inside the church were built by the Goths, and decorated with carved ornamental deciduous and geometric figures. It deserves special attention the column, which shows a bird attacking a snake.

Over the centuries, the church was rebuilt many times. In the XV-XVI centuries it was carried out significant reconstruction work, the basilica was rebuilt, and in this way we can see the church today.

In the church there is a small archaeological museum, where you can see archaeological finds Visigoth era, most of which have been collected within the Beja, and to track changes in the architecture of the period of transition from the Romanesque to the Visigoth.

Every January the festival of Santo Amaro, patron saint of the church. It is believed that St. Amaru helps maimed. Pastries baked on this day in the form of arms and legs, and is believed to have tasted the pastries are always healthy hands and feet.