Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ciscan monks who founded the church in the 13th century are in the small white coffin by
the altar.
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PublicMarket
—Pop into the modernized yet still charming farmers market, across the
square in front of the Church of St. Francis. It's busiest in the morning and on Saturday
(closed Mon). Wander around. It's a great slice-of-life look at this community. People
are proud of their produce.
“Posso provar?
” (POH-soo proo-VAHR) means “Can I try a
little?”
Provar
some cheese and stock up for a picnic (perhaps in the adjacent gardens).
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PublicGardens
—Take a refreshing break in the Jardim Publico (main entrance across
from market, at the bottom of Praça 1 de Maio). Just inside the gate, Vasco da Gama looks
on with excitement as he discovers a little kiosk café nearby selling sandwiches, freshly
baked goodies, and drinks. For a quick little lunch, try an
empada de galinha
(tiny chick-
en pastry—€1.10 each) and perhaps a
queijada
(sweet cheese tart—a local favorite). The
gardens, bigger than they look, contain an overly restored hunk of the 16th-century Royal
Palace (right of the entry gate). Behind the palace, look over the stone balustrade to see a
kids' playground and playfields. Life goes on—make no bones about it.
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University
—First known as the College of the Holy Spirit, this institution was es-
tablished as a Jesuit university in 1559 by Dom Henrique, the cathedral's first archbish-
