"Obidos" a Óbidos Travel Page by haiamisa

24th of September was a busy day for us as we visited several places. We had left Leiria on the morning and visited Batalha and Nazare. We stopped in Obidos for an hour or so and then continued to Peniche where we spent the night.
Obidos is so beautiful! It is a pity that we didn't have time to stay there longer. It would make a great overnight spot while in the area. We only walked around the town and saw the castle and then continued our drive.
Obidos is situated 23km east of Peniche and it is known as the "Wedding City" because it was the traditional bridal gift of the kings of Portugal to their gueens. The custom was begun in 1282 by Dom Dinis and Dona Isabel, and the town can hardly have changed much in appearance since then. It is very small and completely enclosed by lofty medieval walls: streets are cobbled, houses whitewashed with bright blue and yellow borders, and at all pints steep staircases wind up to the ramparts, where you can gaze across a lovely rural landscapes. It wasn't always like this. 500 years ago, when Peniche was an island, the sea also reached the foot of the ridge on which Obidos stands and boasts were moored below its walls. However, by the 15th century the sea had retreated, leaving a fertile green plain and the distant Lagoa de Obidos with its narrow, shallow entrance to the sea.
The town is touristy of course and it attracts coach loads of daily visitors. You can walk right around the town along its perimeter walls and see wonderful views.
We were tired and took only the two pictures I have here! See the travelogues for postcards from Obidos and you'll get the feeling of the beauty of this place!