Nestled in the Evora region of Portugal, the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz is nationally recognized for its handicrafts—especially the famous MANTAS DE REGUENGOS (reguengos blankets). For generations, wool craft has played an essential role in the region’s history, dating back to Portuguese royalty in the 16th century. In the 1930s, António Durão created a workshop employing masters and apprentices in the art of wool craft. Decades later Jose Rosa brought together the region’s manta producers and the workshop became Fabrica Alentejana de Lanificios, with improved design, quality and production techniques. He created the MANTAS DE REGUENGOS (reguengos blankets) brand image, and was awarded the Gold Medal at the Brussels Universal Exhibition in 1958.
In 1977 Mizette Nielsen, a Dutch artisan, took over the business, investing in the timeless tradition of heirloom blankets. While retaining the prestige and quality of the Reguengos fabrics, she introduced creative design innovations that kept the brand alive. Mizette added value and a new dimension to this iconic art that is part of the Alentejo’s cultural identity. January 2020 began a new era, as three Portuguese visionaries took ownership of the mills. Their passionate for Alentejo’s wool craft tradition resulted in a commitment to local artisans, while introducing new products and repurposing traditional fabrics. The traditional weaving patterns and manual production of the MANTAS DE REGUENGOS (reguengos blankets) brand lend themselves to personal interpretation as clients can customize, blending ethnic beauty of the ages into contemporary design.
For centuries, flocks of merino sheep have roamed Alentejo’s fields. Introduced by the Beri-Merines Berber dynasty, the breed is celebrated for the quality of its wool, characterized by its smooth, fine texture. To withstand the harsh Alentejo winters, the shepherds made the first fabrics for blankets and cloaks. Their simple patterns were tightly woven and waterproofed with an olive oil coating. These work mantas were part of the hired workers salary. The repertoire expanded to include more detailed traveling blankets and graves (decorative bed covers) which were socially regarded as objects of prestige. Only the best wool was used and the carefully selected dyes connected to the region. Patterns varied from elaborate, alluding to early Roman pottery, to simpler, pastoral themes.
