Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the castle, the carved hanging shrimp net represents how fishermen found the body of
16-year-old Afonso, son of Manuel I and Leonor, in the Rio Tejo after a tragic and mys-
terious death. The net eventually became part of the queen's coat of arms. The huge pots
you see beneath the awning overlooking the square on the left were once in the central
market and held olive oil instead of flowers. The small
MunicipalMuseum,
opposite the
flowerpots, is not worth the €1.50 unless you enjoy stairs, religious art, and Portuguese
inscriptions. But at the bottom of the square, do enter the...
Church of St. Mary of Óbidos:
Grab a seat on a front pew, surrounded by classic
17th-century tiles (church open daily). Notice the fine painted-wood ceiling over each of
the three naves. To the left of the altar is a niche with a delicate Portuguese Renaissance
tomb, featuring a pietà carved out of local limestone. On the right are three paintings, in-
cluding
The Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine,
by Óbidos' most famous artist, the nun
Josefa d'Óbidos (1634-1684).
