Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Until the 15th century Óbidos overlooked the sea; the bay gradually silted up, leaving
the town landlocked.
Sights
Castelo, Walls & Aqueduct
You can walk around the unprotected
muro
(wall) for uplifting views over town and
surrounding countryside. The walls date from Moorish times (later restored), but the
castelo
(castle) itself is one of Dom Dinis' 13th-century creations. It's a stern edifice, with lots of
towers, battlements and big gates. Converted into a palace in the 16th century (some
Manueline touches add levity), it's now a deluxe
pousada
.
The
aqueduct
, southeast of the main gate, dates from the 16th century and is 3km long.
HISTORIC SITE
Igreja de Santa Maria
(Praça de Santa Maria; 9.30am-12.30pm & 2.30-7pm)
The town's elegant main church, near the
northern end of Rua Direita, stands out for its interior, with a wonderful painted ceiling
and walls done up in beautiful blue-and-white 17th-century
azulejos
(hand-painted tiles).
Paintings by the renowned 17th-century painter Josefa de Óbidos are to the right of the al-
tar. There's a fine 16th-century Renaissance tomb on the left, probably carved by French
sculptor Nicolas Chanterène.
CHURCH
Museu Municipal
( 262 955 557; Solar da Praça de Santa Maria; 10am-1pm & 2-6pm)
Located in an 18th-cen-
tury manor house just next to Igreja de Santa Maria, the town's museum houses a small
collection of paintings spanning several centuries. The highlight is a haunting portrait by
Josefa de Óbidos,
Faustino das Neves
(1670), remarkable for its dramatic use of light and
shade.
MUSEUM
Santuário do Senhor da Pedra
(Largo do Santuário; 9am-12.30pm & 2.30-7pm Tue-Sun, to 5pm Oct-Apr)
Below town this imposing, if
a little ramshackle, hexagonal church is an 18th-century baroque gem in need of some
tender loving care. It's worth the stroll down here for the unusual hexagonal interior; in
the altar is the stone sculpture of Christ crucified that gives the place its name.
CHURCH
