Fort of São João Baptista, Fort of the Berlenga Grande, in Peniche

Fort of São João Baptista, Fort of the Berlenga Grande, in Peniche

The Fort of São João Baptista das Berlengas, or simply known as the Fort of the Berlengas, is located off western coast of Portugal, on the largest island of the archipelago of the Berlengas, in the municipality of Peniche in Oeste region. The fortification belonged to a group of defensive military structures meant to protect the municipality located on the coast.   […]

The Berlengas Islands, Berlengas Natural Reserve, in Peniche

The Berlengas Islands, Berlengas Natural Reserve, in Peniche

The Berlengas archipelago is a group of small islands 10 to 15 kilometers off the Portuguese coast, west of the town of Peniche in Oeste region.  Human occupation on Berlenga Grande (the only habitable island) dates back to antiquity: the islands are referred to in Ptolemy’s Geography as Λονδοβρίς (Londobris).Much later it was referred to as the island of Saturno by Roman geographers, and was visited successively by Muslims, Vikings and pirates/privateers from England and France. In 1513, […]

The Glass Museum, in Marinha Grande

The Glass Museum, in Marinha Grande

The Glass Museum is a permanent institution, unincorporated and non-profit service of society and its development. Brings together collections that testify to the industrial, artisanal and Portuguese artistic glass since the mid-seventeenth / eighteenth century to the present. It is the only museum specifically devoted to the study of art, craft and glass industry in […]

The Snow Wells, in Castanheira de Pera

The Snow Wells, in Castanheira de Pera

There is only documented news from 1757 in charter of D. José also signed by the Marquis of Pombal. Of the seven wells built only three that remain for their rarity were considered buildings of public interest. These three rough construction of wells are round inside; however two are octagonal on the outside and one […]

Portuguese Cortes

Portuguese Cortes

In the Medieval Kingdom of Portugal, the Cortes was an assembly of representatives of the estates of the realm - the nobility, clergy and bourgeoisie. It was called and dismissed by the King of Portugal at will, at a place of his choosing.[1] Cortes which brought all three estates together are sometimes distinguished as Cortes-Gerais (General Courts), in contrast to smaller assemblies which brought only one or two estates, to […]

The Four Leiria Cortes, General Courts

The Four Leiria Cortes, General Courts

The town of Leiria developed from the hill where the castle is deployed. After the thirteenth century went downhill until you reach the river Lis. Leiria was born the Roman Collipo, founded in the first century BC, which have existed on the hill of San Sebastian, near Andreus. The entire town was under Moorish rule, […]

Legends of The Castle of Leiria

Legends of The Castle of Leiria

There are three legends, the local imaginary, involving the castle. According to one, with the castle in possession of the Moors, was preparing King Afonso Henriques to resume it. By watching the crows flew over the castle, it seemed that repeated “not now, tomorrow morning.” For this reason, she waited until dawn to deliver the […]

Portugal Travel Maps
Free eCards, Free ePoscards