Beja is the second largest city in the province of Alentejo, which covers an area of one third of Portugal. The town is on a hill and is full of historic buildings with Arab history. In ancient times the city's location had great strategic importance, as it towered over the flat lands of Baixo Alentejo.

The first settlers in the town appeared in Celtic times. Later the city was ruled by the Romans. In the times of the Visigoths in Beja was the residence of the Visigothic Bishop, and the city bore the name of the Pack. At about this time was built the Church of Santo Amaro, which is close to the watchtower of the castle of the city. This Church is one of four surviving pre-Romanesque churches of the era in Portugal and is also one of the oldest churches in Beja. Some parts of the building date back to the VI century. The facade is decorated with the window in the style of "Mudejar". Pillars inside the Church were built by the Goths and decorated with carved leaf ornament and geometric shapes. Deserves special attention the column, which depicts a bird attacking a snake.

For centuries the Church was rebuilt many times. In XV-XVI centuries there have been considerable reconstruction work, was rebuilt Basilica, and in this form we can see the Church today.

The Church houses a small archaeological Museum, which houses archaeological finds from the era of the Visigoths, most of whom were collected within the Beja, as well as to track changes in architecture during the period of transition from the Romanesque style to a Visigoth.

Every January for the festival of Santo Amaro, the patron Saint of this Church. It is believed that St. Amaru helping crippled people. Pastries are baked on this day in the form of the hands and feet, and it is believed that after tasting the cakes will always be healthy hands and feet.