May 23rd ~ A Visit to Medieval Villages Outside of Lisbon, Portugal

Azulejo (painted tin-glazed tile work) at main entry gate of Obidos

This was an optional full day excursion to explore the countryside around Lisbon. The theme seemed to be medieval towns with cobblestoned streets and whitewashed buildings. Once again it felt like stepping back in time, in such a good way.

I think it would have been even more fun to have been dressed the part… 

The first stop was in the small village of Obidos, with its historic centre. Only 54 miles (87 km), it makes for an easy day trip from Lisbon. We had missed the Buskers Festival by a day, but there were still several remnants of the festivities, including costumed personalities that added to our fun as we roamed the streets. You can click here to see a YouTube clip of some of the Busker’s Festival if you are curious.

Just FYI, there are several other festivals that may be of interest if you are planning a trip to this area. Since this is predominately a Catholic country, this includes several religious festivals, but of a different flavor, check out the Chocolate Festival or the annual Medieval Fair which normally is sometime in July.

Street map of Obidos. Small and it would be very difficult to get lost here!

We pretty much just wandered on our own for an hour or so. The main street was crowded with people browsing in and out of tiny shops or stopping to try cherry liquor in an edible chocolate cup at one of several roadside stands.

Gus was so excited to finally be out of the suitcase!

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We briefly stepped inside the Santa Maria church.

Santa Maria Church, Obidos. The tile work was exquisite.

“The Church of Santa Maria in Óbidos was the setting for the wedding of King Afonso V to his cousin, Princess Isabella of Coimbra, on 15 August 1441, when they were both still children aged 9 and 10, respectively.” ~ Wikipedia

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As in many of the old towns in Portugal, there are remnants of an ancient castle and wall.

“The name “Óbidos” probably derives from the Latin term oppidum, meaning “citadel”, or “fortified city”.” ~ Wikipedia

The area itself shows evidence of being occupied by the Romans in the 4th century BC, but Castelo de Obidos probably dates to the mid 1100’s.

Castelo de Obidos

Our next stop was Alcobaça.

Walking across the bridge to enter Alcobaca

Main square area of Alcobaca

Alcobaca is a town that only became notable in the 12th century when it was chosen as the future site of Portugal’s largest church, the Church of Santa Maria Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was also the first building in Portugal to adopt the Gothic style.

Church of Santa Maria Monastery

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The importance of the monastery can be measured by the fact that many royals were buried here in the 13th and 14th centuries. Checking out the intricately decorated tombs of King Pedro I and his lover Inês de Castro was of interest. Inês was murdered on the orders of Pedro’s father, King Afonso IV.

After being crowned King, Pedro commissioned two magnificent Gothic tombs for him and his mistress, and here started the story about “The Queen who was crowned after death”. The full story of Pedro and Inês is a fascinating Portuguese version of Romeo and Juliet and if you are interested in knowing more, you can click here.

Tomb of Inês de Castro

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Lastly, we stopped at the charming fishing harbor of Nazaré. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, it has the reputation of having one of the finest beaches in Portugal. Known as a tourist destination, where one can sometimes spot the local women wearing a traditional headscarf and an apron over seven flannel skirts, it is also home to huge waves. A mecca for extreme surfing, several world-records have been set for “largest wave ever ridden”.

Coastline at Nazaré

Showing traditional headscarf and embroidered aprons over seven flannel skirts

And did you know that the rooster is the national symbol of Portugal? You can click here to find out why.

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Overnight: Lisbon

GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for the fun and whimsical costumes we observed in Obidos. It also brought back fond memories of last Halloween when our dear friends Laura and Michael hosted a costume party. It was the first time in many years that Tim and I had donned 70’s disco costumes and we had a FABULOUS time. Someday I may need to research how wearing a costume allows one to step outside their current life, and for that brief moment in time, become an entirely different persona.