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Batalha - Portuguese Gothic
masterpiece and classified in UNESCO's
International Heritage list,
the Santa Maria da Vitoria Monastery
(14th-16th centuries) is a national
landmark. Special mention must be made to
the Founders Chapel, with its magnificent
stain-glassed windows, cloisters, Unfinished
Chapels (Manueline) and Chapter Hall. |
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Alcobaca -
Monumental Cistercian
Abbey of Santa Maria, founded in 1152 (classified
in UNESCO's International Heritage list).
Inside: Gothic tombs of King Pedro I and
Ines de Castro; cloisters; the Chapter House
and immense kitchen. Churches: Misericorida
(Renaissance portal and 17th century tiles)
and Conceicao (17th century). |
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Fatima
- A
world famous
place visited
by many
pilgrims. It has been
built
on
the place where in 1917,
the apparition
of the virgin Maria had
taken place to three shepherds
children.
Here is the basilica
Capela
Aparicoes and an
enormous square
what on
the eve of May
13th changes
in a
huge posting
of candle
light.
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Coimbra - One of
Europe's oldest university towns, it has
kept its secular academic traditions, as
seen in the black caped students, in the
soulful
tones of the fado and in
the Burning of the Ribbons
(Queima das Fitas).
Overlooking the city is
the University, with its famous tower and a
sumptuous Baroque library. In the adjacent
quarters you will find the
Old Cathedral (Romanesque) and the Machado
de Castro Museum, |
with its Roman crypto
portico.
In the ancient streets, with their medieval
walls, arches and stairways, are the Santa
Cruz Monastery (founded in 1131),
the Church
of Santiago and the Monastery of Celas (13th
century).
On the other bank of the Mondego
stands the Santa Clara a Nova Convent (Baroque,
17th century).
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Leiria - A striking
royal castle hangs above
the graceful town of
Leiria. Other important
monuments: the Cathedral
(16th-17th centuries,
with an archaeology
museum on its premises),
Sao Pedro Church (Romanesque),
Nossa Senhora da Pena
Church (Gothic), Nossa
Senhora da Encarnacao
Sanctuary (16th century).
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Obidos -
once the wedding
present
of a queen, the
preserved
medieval town of
Obidos lying 100
km north
of
Lisbon is
without doubt
one
of
Portugal's most
classic walled
settlements.
Walking the
ramparts,
visitors can
enjoy
views of
windmills,
vineyards and
surrounding
farmlands. In
the residential
area below,
narrow
cobblestone
streets are
lined with
whitewashed
houses sporting
terracotta roofs.
The shops are
piled high with
local
handicrafts,
while in spring
the town is
ablaze with
geraniums,
morning glories
and bougainvillaea.
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Nazare
- a
good opportunity for a
trip to the sea and
beach.
On a distance of
80 km you
will find this beautiful
borough where the
fisherman women, in their
typical costumes, dry
the sardines on the
beach.
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Figueira da Foz - at the Atlantic
Ocean. This is a tourist center, and it has
one of the widest beaches of Europe. Here is
also one of the largest casinos of the
Iberian Peninsula.
Many restaurants and terraces. |
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