Obidos is most likely a
name from Latin meaning “citadel” or “fortified city.” Obidos is a very well preserved example of medieval
architecture, streets squares, walls and castle. Its a Roman settlement over 2,000 years old, then the Moors took it over in the 700's and held it for nearly 450 years until the first king of Portugal conquered it in 1148. Obidos is about 45 minutes north from Loures and well worth the drive up the highway.
We have been to the town of Obidos many times as we have come to Portugal. I remember the first time I saw the city up on the hill and began taking pictures, the feeling of amazement was overwhelming to be seeing something like this. Today it is no different for me - still absolutely amazing and breathtaking. I still love to take pictures of everything I see, but then again everything is a picture waiting to be taken in Obidos!
As you enter the large stone wall/gate of Obidos, in the corner to the right sits Senhora Maria patiently crocheting beautiful doilies. We have seen her each time we have come over the many years. We stopped, purchased a doily and talked with her for a few minutes. She has been sitting there for many many many years making her living. She still lives in the town. One day we will enter the door and she will not be there... so until then, I will purchase something beautiful from her each time I visit Obidos. She shook our hands, we greeted her and wished her well.
As you enter the large stone wall/gate of Obidos, in the corner to the right sits Senhora Maria patiently crocheting beautiful doilies. We have seen her each time we have come over the many years. We stopped, purchased a doily and talked with her for a few minutes. She has been sitting there for many many many years making her living. She still lives in the town. One day we will enter the door and she will not be there... so until then, I will purchase something beautiful from her each time I visit Obidos. She shook our hands, we greeted her and wished her well.
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| Senhora Maria |
Obidos is a very popular tourist destination and the summer time brought so many people. R and I were still able to walk the streets and shops leisurely and totally enjoy our time there. We walked down off the main road through town, winding our way to a small restaurant. Yes, tourists were there having lunch, but many Portuguese as well (which what we always look for.)
A stop in a couple of new shops we had not seen before and a taste of the famous Obidos cherry liqueur in a little chocolate cup --- Mmmm! Then after visiting with the owner of a shop we had stopped at many other times, she opened a door toward the back of the shop revealing her workshop and kiln where she hand paints her beautiful pottery. How fun!
You can literally walk around the entire town on the top of the wall. On a clear day, you can see the sea. Hundreds of years ago, water would come right up to the ground at the fortress walls from the sea 10 miles away. Now it is in the distance. The surrounding valley below is beautiful and fertile. For several weeks this summer the Medieval festival festival is held. A parade of people in Medieval dress paraded through the streets as we stopped to watch.
Obidos --
an enchanting place that before seeing it for myself, was only a place imagined and seen in books.
A stop in a couple of new shops we had not seen before and a taste of the famous Obidos cherry liqueur in a little chocolate cup --- Mmmm! Then after visiting with the owner of a shop we had stopped at many other times, she opened a door toward the back of the shop revealing her workshop and kiln where she hand paints her beautiful pottery. How fun!
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| Note the castle wall up the tiny street and above the roof tops |
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| A child's baptism was held in the church |
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| Women making bands of flowers to be worn in the hair |
You can literally walk around the entire town on the top of the wall. On a clear day, you can see the sea. Hundreds of years ago, water would come right up to the ground at the fortress walls from the sea 10 miles away. Now it is in the distance. The surrounding valley below is beautiful and fertile. For several weeks this summer the Medieval festival festival is held. A parade of people in Medieval dress paraded through the streets as we stopped to watch.
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| Parade down main street |
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| Just a walk up the stairs and you can literally walk around the entire town on the wall -- about 30-35 feet high -- and NO guard or hand rails (OSHA would love this place!?!?!) |
Obidos --
an enchanting place that before seeing it for myself, was only a place imagined and seen in books.
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