| FIGUEIRA
DA FOZ |
A lively and cosmopolitan seaside resort at the mouth of the
Mondego River, Figueira da Foz's main asset is its wide and
extensive sandy beach.
Local history was made on 1 August, 1808, when Wellington's
army landed here, marking the start of the Iron Duke's first
campaign against the French in the Peninsula War (1808-14).
What to see: Figueira's municipal museum has a notable
archaeological collection, weapons, carpets, photographs and
a musical archive. Overlooking the river, the Casa do Paço's
walls are lined with no less than 8,000 Delft tiles taken from
a shipwreck in the late 17th century. The 16th-century triangular
fortress at the northern end of the bay was used by the Duke
of Wellington during his brief stay.
Nearby: A few kilometres inland lies the attractive and
historic hillside town of Montemor-o-Velho. Much fought over
by Christians and Moors, the place is most notable for its ancient
castle, which has fragments of Roman stonework in its keep. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
