UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA
The 18th-century University of Coimbra, the statue of João III, the ...Read more
TEMPLAR CASTLE
Read moreWe can see it in the distance when we arrive at Tomar. The closer you get to it, the more its shape manifests itself. This medieval castle is located on Linha do Tejo, the defensive line of castle built from Santarém to protect the capital (Coimbra) of the Moors at the time of the reconquest of the Kingdom in the 12th century by Christians. Construction began in 1160 at the same time as the Charola of Convento do Cristo and Almourol Castle near Abrantes, under the leadership of Templar Master D. Gualdim Pais. According to historical writings, Tomar Castle was used as a refuge by Christians during the six days of attacks by the Moorish Caliph Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur. A plaque near the entrance to the church commemorates this victory, and a gate of the fortress was named "the gate of blood". This castle was the residence of Infanta Henrique and Manuel I in the 15th century, then João III in the 16th century. The military fortress combines the romantic, Gothic and Renaissance styles, and is composed of a double belt of walls that bounded the first village and the square of arms. The first wall of pentagonal shape is called the citadel (alcáçova) and is enhanced by the keep, the Torre de Menagem, a type of construction introduced by the Templars into the country. The round church of the castle (rotunda), like some other Templar churches in Europe, is said to have been built on the model of the Omar Mosque in Jerusalem, which the Crusaders mistakenly believed to be a relic of Solomon's Temple.
CASTELO DE LEIRIA
Polygonal castle with a garden, the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Pena and the ...Read more
ALMOUROL CASTELO
Castle on a granite massif built by the Templar order in 1171, which served ...Read more
FORT DE SÃO JOÃO BAPTISTA
Octagonal defense fort of the 17th century built on the ruins of a ...Read more
BALANÇOIRE PANORAMIQUE ENTRE SERRAS
Panoramic swing in Travancinha, work of a group of inhabitants to enjoy a ...Read more
MENAGEM TORUS
Restored tower with a beautiful view, a room with a film on the monuments ...Read more
BARGE FORTRESS
Fortress turned municipal museum, the Museu Nacional Resistência e ...Read more
CASTELO DE BELMONTE
Medieval castle overlooking the Zêzere with a Manueline window on the ...Read more
BALANÇOIRE DU TALEGRE - ALBURITEL
Panoramic swing in the southeast of Ourém, created by three friends, which ...Read more
TORRE
Read moreAt the top of the mountain range, this tower marks the highest point in mainland Portugal. Standing 7 metres high at an altitude of 1,993 metres, it symbolically reaches 2,000 metres above sea level. From here, a breathtaking view reveals a landscape of valleys and rocks, where schist and granite mingle with the blue of rivers. One of the main reasons for coming here is to enjoy winter sports. La Torre is home to stores selling regional products such as the famous Queijo da Serra, honey, bread, sausages and local crafts.
PONTE 516 AROUCA
The longest suspension bridge in the world, perched 175 meters above sea ...Read more