| ÓBIDOS |
Once the wedding present of a queen, the preserved medieval
town of Óbidos lying 100 km north of Lisbon is without
doubt one of Portugal's most classic walled settlements.
Walking the ramparts, visitors can enjoy views of windmills,
vineyards and surrounding farmlands. In the residential area
below, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed
houses sporting terracotta roofs. The shops are piled high with
local handicrafts, while in spring the town is ablaze with geraniums,
morning glories and bougainvillaea.
What to see. Famous for being the site where the 10-year-old
Afonso V married his cousin aged 8, the Church of Santa Maria
also boasts exquisite 17th-century tiles and a fine Renaissance
tomb.
Nearby. Within easy reach of Óbidos is Alcobaça,
a town dominated by its 12th-century abbey. The restored monument
houses the ornate tombs of Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro,
the star-crossed lovers whom legend treats as the Romeo and
Juliet of Portugal. Inside, visitors will find the exquisite
Cloister of Silence. Of equal importance is Batalha, located
73 miles north of Lisbon and a short drive from Óbidos
and Alcobaça. Its highlight is the stunning monastery
built in the 15th and 16th centuries, a true masterpiece considered
to be among the finest structures in Southern Europe. The tombs
of King João I, his English wife Philippa of Lancaster,
and their sons (including Henry the Navigator) are located here. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
