In the Largo de Jesus, in the heart of Setúbal’s historic centre, there is the Convent after which the square was named. It was built on the initiative of Justa Rodrigues Pereira, lover of king Manuel I, by collecting a group of Franciscan nuns from the Order of Saint Claire. The project was designed by […]
Around 1 km from the city of Setúbal, there is the imposing Fort of São Filipe (Saint Philip) guarding access to the Sado river. It is named after the king who ordered its construction, Filipe I of Portugal and the II of Spain, in 1590. Italian military engineer Filipe Terzi, protégé of the Spanish Royal […]
Stamping its presence on the town of Sesimbra, the Castle is surrounded by the lofty peaks of the Arrábida hill range. Although there had been previous settlement on this site, it was during the Moorish period that a fort was constructed. During the Christian advance south of the river Tagus, the Sesimbra region was taken […]
The Palmela castle is located on one of the highest points in the Serra da Arrábida. It is difficult to get to and was hence ideal for its role in defending the surrounding lands. During the Christian Reconquest led by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, Palmela was part of the defensive line built […]
Some sections still remain of the mud and stone wall that once surrounded the town. The central fortress was adapted to form a convent. You can still see the ruins of the Convent and Church of Santa Maria do Castelo, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style of the 13C. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
The classification of this monument includes the Forte da Ilha de Dentro situated on the island. In the ruins of the mainland fortress there are two ramparts and the moat, as well as a barracks and chapel in the main section.
This museum illustrates the human occupation of the Sines area since the Palaeolithic era, the main attractions being the “Treasure of Gaio” (7th century B.C.) and the engraved stones of the Visigothic Basilica (7th century A.D.). Photo: www.sines.pt
Sines Castle The surviving remains of the original mediaeval structure of Sines Castle include the walls crowned by battlements and the keep. The walls include Visigoth architectural elements that formed part of a church built before the seventh century. The interior of the castle includes two painted wooden ceilings. Photo: www.guiadacidade.pt
Church of Nossa Senhora das Salas The Church of Nossa Senhora das Salas is an extremely popular centre of devotion to the Virgin Mary, in particular amongst fishermen. The chapel was commissioned by Vasco da Gama, who was born in Sines, close to a locale where there was a hermitage commemorating salvation of the Princess […]
The Leça da Palmeira beach has one of the largest stretches of sand to be found in the North of Portugal. It has been a popular destination since the very beginning of the 20th century when the English community living in Oporto adopted it as their favourite beach. Here there is the salt-water swimming pool, […]
The royal coat of arms can be seen above the main entrance and the covered balcony is supported by thick brackets and machicolated, a mediaeval defensive process that was still in use at the end of the 17C, involving the pouring of hot liquid over assailants. Photo: 500px.com
Situated close to the sea, the Manueline Torre da Roqueta is clearly visible with its parapet of merlons and projecting balconies, supported by brackets and machicolations. Its structure is typical of fortified military architecture. Photo: pt.wikipedia.org