Amongst the museum’s collections, attention is drawn to its displays of numismatics and archaeology, the latter depicting the human occupation of the region since the Upper Palaeolithic era. In the ethnographic collection, attention is drawn to the typical Alentejo kitchen, to which has been added a recreation of a humble bedroom. This is contrasted with […]
The former Quinta de Santiago estate was built in 1896 as the summer residence of the Santiago de Carvalho e Sousa family. It is an interesting building with revivalist elements, designed by the Italian Nicola Bigaglia, that provides an excellent portrait of the late 19th-century social context. Restoration of the building and its transformation into […]
Roman ruins of Miróbriga Fortified settlement dating from the End of the Bronze Age and Iron Age. A city was built on the site during the Roman era. Visitors can see the remains of temples, a commercial zone, thermal baths, pavements, a hippodrome and other elements. The Roman circus (measuring 360m x 74 m) – […]
Standing on a hill overlooking the town, the castle is notable for its cubic turrets and crenellated barbican which encircles the castle walls. Adjacent to the castle is the parish church founded in the 13C by the knights of the Order of Santiago. Its Romanesque-Gothic southern portal still remains from this time. Photo: pt.wikipedia.org
The Sanctuary of Senhor Bom Jesus or the Senhor de (Lord of) Matosinhos is both the city’s most outstanding monument and its parish church. The church houses the statue of Bom Jesus transferred here in the 16th century from the now disappeared Monastery of Bouças, itself the former name given to the council of Matosinhos. […]
A very important Carmelite sanctuary, especially for inhabitants of Santiago do Cacém and of Santo André. The sanctuary serves as a place of meditation and other spiritual activities. The interior includes a statue of Nossa Senhora da Graça and azulejo wall panels. A pilgrimage is held on the last Sunday in May. Photo: www.atlas.cimal.pt
Built in the 18th century, the Padrão do Bom Jesus (the Bom Jesus Marker Stone), also known as the Statue to the Lord of the Sand or Our Lord of Padrão, is the physical manifestation of a local belief. It is told that the Lord of Matosinhos Statue was sculpted by Nicodemos, the man who […]
The Porto Atlântico Marina, situated at Leça da Palmeira in the borough of Matosinhos, serves Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, which is a pleasant 10-kilometre tram ride away along the seafront and river bank. It has 240 berths for yachts up to 30 metres in length, although longer vessels may also moor there. In addition […]
The Leça da Palmeira Matrix Church was built at the very time Portugal was founded. It then became known as the “Church of S. Miguel de Moroça”. This old construction is small and hugs the ground. Built in worked stone, both inside and outside, the thick walls and buttresses are very much in line with […]
On the southern coast is the extensive, but sheltered bay of Sines, and perched above it lies the town with its mediaeval castle. The marina, situated close to the small Atlantic beach has 230 berths. Besides the usual facilities (reception, water and electricity supplies, public telephone and refuse disposal), the port of Sines has a […]
The Leça da Palmeira Fortress, also known as the Matosinhos Castle or the Fortress of Nossa Senhora das Neves (Our Lady of Purity), was built after Portugal regained independence in 1640. It belonged to a chain of coastal fortresses making up a line of defence that further included the fortresses at São João da Foz […]
The museum is housed in the restored and enlarged “Solar dos Carneiros”, a manor-house built in the second half of the 18th century whose chapel is also open to visitors. It contains a collection of ethnographic and anthropological exhibits illustrating the life of the maritime community and rural parishes of this municipality. Its archaeological section […]