Castles of Portugal and Legends of Knights and Enchanted Moorish Princesses
A trip in time to 7 Castles in the Center of Portugal. These fortifications helped to define the borders of a Country with 900 years of history. The Castles remember stories of love and sacrifice where history and legend intersect, in which glorious and heroic deeds took place. Raised by the will of Kings, Great Lords or Orders of Cavalry, they were places of defense or attack, shelter of populations, places of worship, house of knights and princesses, kings and queens.
Immerse yourself in the magic of the castles of Portugal. Meet wonderful places that are not yet on mass tourism routes. | Day 1 |
CASTLE OF ÓBIDOS, FORT OF NAZARÉ, CASTLE OF PORTO DE MÓS |
TRANSFER AIRPORT <–> HOTEL At the airport you will be met in the arrivals area by a tour guide with your name written on a board.
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CASTLE OF ÓBIDOS It is a charming and picturesque medieval village, with white houses decorated with flowers. It was captured from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in 1148, but occupied from ancient times even before the Romans arrived in the Iberian Peninsula, the village became more prosperous from the moment it was chosen by the royal family, when King Dinis offered it to his wife Isabel, in the 14th century. Full of flowers, many medieval monuments and beautiful panoramic views, relax in a medieval bar while enjoying the famous "Ginjinha" liqueur.
FORT OF NAZARÉ King Sebastian had the fort built in 1577. Nazaré is blessed with a magnificent light, pleasant sun, fine white sand and welcoming places. The seven colored skirts worn by the women of Nazare, used since the days when they waited for their husbands as they returned from the catch of the day. But today the city is defined more by the waves that attract surfers and the beautiful reefs that attract divers. The beautiful bay protected by high cliffs, on which the Sítio da Nazaré offers an unforgettable view.
ALCOBAÇA & BATALHA: Brief visit to the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha
CASTLE OF PORTO DE MÓS King Afonso Henriques conquered this castle in 1148 and named its governor Fuas Roupinho, an iconic and legendary figure, a knight Templar associated to the miracle of Our Lady of Nazareth. Later, the Castle is donated to Nuno Álvares Pereira, who delivers him to his daughter and son-in-law, the first dukes of Bragança, the son of the dukes, D Afonso, a learned man, ambassador and traveler who transforms the medieval fortress into a palace fortress. Despite great mutilations suffered by the earthquake of 1755, managed to be saved of total fall. It has an unusual charm and aesthetics, with some similarities with the Italian palaces of Florence, Assisi or Ferrara.
Hotel | Serra de Aire http://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/cooking-and-nature-emotional.pt
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| Day 2 |
| CATLE OF MONTOMOR O VELHO, CASTLE OF LEIRIA, CASTLE OF OURÉM |
CASTLE OF MONTEMOR-O- VELHO Its construction dates back to 1088, ordered by Alfonso VI of León and Castile. It was an important strategic point to defend the border of the low Mondego, in particular of the region of Coimbra. The possession of this region between the rivers Douro and Mondego alternated between Christians and Muslims between 10th century and the 11th century. Over the years it was a point of discordance and conflict between kings and princes. It is closely linked to the tragic love story of Prince Pedro and the Maid Inês de Castro. It was here, that in 1355, the King Afonso IV, father of Prince Pedro, ordered the execution of the Maid Inês de Castro.
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COIMBRA – Brief visit to the University of Coimbra One of the most beautiful cities of Portugal, preserved several historical monuments, medieval churches and the most important library in Portugal! University of Coimbra (1290), to the Old Cathedral (1162), New Cathedral (1598), Academic Neighborhood, Almedina, Igreja de São Tiago, Igreja de Santa Cruz (1131).
CASTLE OF LEIRIA In 1135, King Afonso Henriques occupied Leiriena (Leiria). The young prince handed the Castle to the Knight Paio Guterres. Two years later Paio Guterres loses the castle to the Moors, however soon recovered back. The kings always showed interest in this castle, summoning the courts here many times. But it was King Dinis and Queen St Isabel who came to mark the fates of Leiria, by enlarging and reinforcing this Castle.
CASTLE OF OURÉM Conquered from the Moors in 1136. Some years later King Afonso Henriques grants its county to his daughter Princess Teresa. In 1384 King João I granted it the his Military general, the Knight Nuno Álvares Pereira, and a brand new title, the Count of Ourém. It was from this Castle that Álvares Pereira left to the famous Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. The Paço do Conde, built in 1450, is considered one of the most innovative works of military architecture of the 15th century. It is considered one of the most beautiful Portuguese Castles and the legend says that the name OURÉM is due to a Moorish Princess who fell in love with a Christian knight, and that after converting to Christianity, changed her name to Oureana.
Hotel: Pousada do Castelo de Ourém |
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| Day 3 |
| CASTLE OF TOMAR, CASTLE OF ALMOUROL |
CASTLE OF TOMAR Former seat of the Order of the Knights Templar, TOMAR is a city of great charm for its artistic and cultural wealth, whose greatest expression is in the Convent of Christ. The development of Tomar is closely linked to the Order of the Templars, which received these lands in 1159 as a reward for the assistance they gave to Afonso Henriques (the First King of Portugal) in the Christian reconquest of the territory. It was the Knight Gualdim Pais, the first Grand Master of the Order in Portugal, who founded the castle and the remarkable CONVENT OF CHRIST inside. Enlarged and altered over the centuries, this retains the influences of various architectural styles; it is the centerpiece of the city and classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
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The Order of the Templars was suppressed in France in the early 14th century, but in Portugal it was transformed into the Order of Christ on the initiative of King Dom Dinis. This was subsequently approved by the Pope, and it was decided that the immense wealth they possessed should pass to the Order of Christ, which came to play an important part in the historic Portuguese Discoveries.
CASTLE OF ALMOUROL In the middle of the River Tagus, the ALMOUROL CASTLE is one of the most emblematic monuments of the Christian reconquest of the 12th century. Its history reminds us of the Reconquest of the Portuguese territory during the Middle Ages. When the Christians arrived here in 1129, the castle already existed under the name of Almorolan, having been incorporated under the protection of the Knights Templar, whose Grand Master at that time was Gualdim Pais. According to an inscription at the entrance to the castle, its reconstruction work began in 1171.
Hotel | Lisbon |
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Included:  PRICE | If you would like a quote for this package please contact our agency. We will be happy to give you the best possible quote for you and your group Minimum of 2 participants Fuel and Tolls Private Professional Tour Guide ( Português / English / Francais / Español ) Airport Transfers Entrance tickets to monuments and museums Accommodation with Breakfast in 3 hotels, 4 or 5-star. Taxes Travel insurance: http:www.luxinvicta.pt/conte.php?a=86 Travel Assistance
Not included:  Meals Municipal fee in the Hotels in Lisbon, Cascais e Porto. Airfares Any other extra services not mentioned in the itinerary
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