OBIDOS TOURISM GUIDE
The Wedding Present Town; Portugal's most romantic medieval village
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All of Obidos has been declared a national monument. It is known as the "Wedding Present Town" because it was a gift King Dinis
gave to Queen Isabel on their wedding day in 1282, but that alone is not
what makes it such an extraordinarily romantic place -- what make it one of Europe's most romantic medieval villages are its
incredibly picturesque cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses filled
with geraniums and bougainvillea, Gothic doorways and windows, whitewashed
churches, flowerpots and dazzling tiles -- all encircled by the walls of a
12th century castle. Scaling its 13m (45ft)-high medieval walls is
the best way to admire this picture postcard-perfect place.
The main street ("Rua Direita") leads from the town gate (decorated
with 18th century tile panels) to the main square (Praça de Santa
Maria). It has a beautiful fountain, a 15th century pillory, the
Town Museum (with exhibits ranging from archeological finds to
15-17th centuries sculpture and paintings), and Santa Maria Church. That's where 10-year-old King Afonso V married his 8-year-old cousin Isabel
in 1444, with an interior entirely faced with tiles and containing the tomb
of João de Noronha, the castle governor who died in 1575. Closeby is
Misericordia Church (with a fine Baroque doorway), while outside the
walls is the Amoreira Aqueduct, built at the behest of Catherine of
Austria in 1575.
Every July a Medieval Fair recreates the Middle Ages with medieval
music, knights, witches, and theater performances, and during the
International Chocolate Festival in November, Obidos becomes the
world's chocolate capital with incredible chocolate sculptures.
The best way to experience the romantic atmosphere of the village is to
stay overnight when most visitors are gone. Try booking the castle
hotel (part of the Pousadas group) well in advance -- you'll
find yourself filled with medieval romance when you step outside and find the
walls floodlit and the narrow alleys brightened by the moonlight.
FIND OBIDOS HOTELS »
OR
SEE OBIDOS ON A TOUR FROM LISBON »
Places Nearby
Mafra -
One of Europe's biggest palaces, the building that bankrupted the nation
Ericeira
- Traditional seaside village; surfing mecca, superb seafood
Peniche
- A dream-like nature preserve with underwater activities; fine sandy
beaches
Alcobaça
- Europe's greatest Cistercian temple
Batalha
- European Gothic masterpiece; spectacular underground caves
Nazare
- Colorful, traditional fishing village
Fatima
- World-famous shrine of the Catholic world
Tomar -
Manueline flourishes in "the home of the knights"; a "haunted castle"
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AROUND LISBON
AND TAGUS VALLEY Alcobaça Arrábida Azeitão Batalha Cascais Ericeira Estoril Fatima Leiria Mafra Nazaré Obidos Palmela Peniche Queluz Santarém Sesimbra Setubal Sintra Tomar |
ALENTEJO
Beja Castelo de Vide Elvas Estremoz Evora Marvão Mértola Monsaraz Vila Viçosa ALGARVE Albufeira Faro Lagos Sagres Silves Tavira Vila Real de Santo António Vilamoura |
BEIRAS (CENTRAL PORTUGAL)
Aveiro Belmonte Buçaco Coimbra Conimbriga Figueira da Foz Guarda Monsanto Piodão Serra da Estrela Viseu PORTO AND DOURO Amarante Lamego Porto |
MINHO
Barcelos Braga Gerês National Park Guimarães Ponte de Lima Ponte da Barca Viana do Castelo TRAS-OS-MONTES Bragança Chaves Vila Real THE ISLANDS Azores Madeira |