"PLACES OF INTEREST" a Portugal Travel Page by claudiapires

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Alcobaça

Monumental Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria, founded in 1152 (classified in UNESCO’s International Heritage list). Inside: beautiful Gothic tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro in the church; cloisters; the chapter house and an enormous kitchen. Churches: Misericórdia (Renaissance portal and 17th-century tiles) and Conceição (17th century).

Batalha:

Stylish summer resort. Amongst the numerous restaurants, bars and discotheques are the following historic places: Castro Guimarães Museum and Sea Museum, the 18th century churches of Nossa Senhora da Assunção and Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes; the chapels of Nossa Senhora da Guia (15th century) and São Sebastião (16th 17th-centuries) and the 17th century fortress. Just a few minutes away lies Guincho beach (a great place for those who enjoy surfing and windsurfing).


Cascais:

Stylish summer resort. Amongst the numerous restaurants, bars and discotheques are the following historic places: Castro Guimarães Museum and Sea Museum, the 18th century churches of Nossa Senhora da Assunção and Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes; the chapels of Nossa Senhora da Guia (15th century) and São Sebastião (16th 17th-centuries) and the 17th century fortress. Just a few minutes away lies Guincho beach (a great place for those who enjoy surfing and windsurfing).


Estoril:

Renowned worldwide as an important tourism spot (casino, golf course and racing track).The beautiful Santo António Church stands out in this cosmopolitan resort, which also boasts an exciting nightlife.


Fátima:

One of the most important Marian centres of pilgrimage in the catholic world. Basilica and Capelinha das Aparições, standing in the place where it is said that Our Lady appeared to the three shepherds.


Leiria:

A striking medieval royal castle hangs atop the graceful town of Leiria. Other important monuments: the Cathedral (16th-17th centuries, with an archeology museum on its premises), São Pedro Church (Romanesque), Nossa Senhora da Pena Church (Gothic), Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Sanctuary (16th century).


Mafra:

Palace-Convent, built in the 18th century, is the largest Portuguese religious monument. It consists of royal apartments, magnificent libray, carrillon and basilica.

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Óbidos

Completely enclosed by lofty medieval walls, this is a small town with whitewashed houses brightened up by colourful bougainvilleas. The massively-towered castle has now been converted into an elegant pousada. Churches: Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Romanesque-Gothic), Santa Maria (Renaissance, housing an art collection by the Portuguese painter Josefa d’Óbidos), Misericórdia (15th-18th centuries) and São Pedro (18th century). Nearby, Senhor da Pedra Sanctuary.

Palmela:

Dominated by a magnificent castle, which houses the ancient Santiago Convent (currently a pousada).


Queluz:
Summer palace of the kings of Portugal in the 18th century, it encloses a series of rambling and beautiful gardens with lakes and sculptures, and houses an important collection of furniture, paintings, tiles, and decorative arts. Within the palace property stands the Pousada D. Maria.


Santarém:

Castle of Roman origin overlooking Portas do Sol (Sun Gates) and opening on to a panoramic view of the Tagus river. Monuments: the Roman-Gothic Church of São João de Alporão (with an archeology museum); the Gothic Convent of São Francisco and the Gothic churches of Graça and Santa Clara; the Renaissance Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte; from later periods, the churches of Santíssimo Milagre and Seminário Patriarcal.


Sesimbra:

Picturesque small fishing town, with a medieval castle atop a hill. Whilst here, do not miss the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo, at Cabo Espichel, and Lagoa de Albufeira, a favourite spot for windsurfers.


Setúbal:

Opposite to the Tróia peninsula (18 km of beaches and golf courses) lies the city of the Sado river (an important natural reserve). Places of interest: museum, churches of Jesus and São João (Manueline), São Domingos, Boa Hora, Santa Maria da Graça and São Julião. The castle includes a pousada, overlooking Setúbal.


Sintra:

(Classified in the UNESCO World Heritage list) In the centre stands the National Palace, with its beautiful painted rooms and huge pair of conical chimneys, the village’s ex-libris. Other palaces: Pena (royal palace, 19th century), Seteais (18th century and currently a luxurious hotel) and Monserrate, renowned for its gardens and water courses. The churches of São Martinho (Romanesque origin), Santa Maria (Romanesque-Gothic) and São Pedro de Penaferrim (15th-16th-centuries). Nearby are the church of Santo António do Penedo (16th-century) and Peninha Chapel (Baroque tile works). The Toy Museum, over 20 000 pieces from the 16th to the 20th-century. In the suburbs: the Capuchos Convent (16th-century) and Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point in continental Europe).

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Tomar

Christ Convent, classified in UNESCO’s International Heritage list (12th-16th centuries). With its famous Manueline window, it is the town’s supreme landmark. Other places to visit: Templars’ Castle (12th century); churches of Santa Maria do Olival (Gothic), Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Renaissance) and São João Baptista (Manueline); and a 15th century synagogue.