Azeitão & Arrábida

Many aristocratic families made full use of the area's arable quality, its proximity to the capital and its natural beauty and built their manor houses and country residences here. prime examples are the Quinta das Torres, now a country hotel and the Renaissance palace of the Dukes of Aveiro, the Palace Távora, which was built by Jorge de Lencastre between 1520 and 1523, is now in a sad state of deprivation.

Fonte de Pasmados

Found on the main street in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão opposite the São Lourenço church the Fonte de Pasmados fountain is one of the villages landmarks. Baroque in style the fountain was built between 1764 and 1777 by Agostinho de Faria. The local legend states that those who drink from here will be tied to Azeitão forever.

Pelourinho

Following the rise in status of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão to a village this Pelourinho or Pillory was transferred from its original position just over a mile away in Vila Fresca de Azeitão by order of Queen Dona Maria I. Constructed in the 17th century the Pelourinho has a tall column which is crowned with an armillary sphere and globe. On the northern facet it's inscribed "FIDELÍSSIMA REGINA D. MARIA imperante/SENATUS erexit anno 1789".

This modest construction stands on ancient foundations that date way back to the 14th century. Little remains of the original Gothic building and what replaced it is comparatively stark. The 16th-century outer walls are basic and lack any flourish. There is a single bell tower. Inside, one discovers 18th-century panels depicting scenes from the old testament and allusions to the village's patron religious figures such as São Lourenço (St. Lawrence) and Senhora da Arrábida. The main focus inside the interior is the altar, adorned with gold leaf carvings from the 17th century and a canvas painting of the last supper. | 38° 31' 01.5" N | 09° 01' 03.7" W

The main feature within Vila Nogueira de Azeitão is this magnificent nineteenth-century manor house which is the traditional home to the Soares Franco family owners of the José Maria Fonseca, who still produce Portugal's oldest wine brand. Lovingly restored in 1923 by the Swiss architect Ernesto Korrodi it served as a family home until 1974. Now it's a living museum that pays tribute to the family's long winemaking heritage. The house itself is a place of beauty with its imposing façade and elegant gardens. The tour starts with a brief explanation of the company's history, where traditions and values have been passed down eight generations and are kept alive while allowing the company to project itself into the 21st century.

The tour continues through the gardens to the cellars, where iconic table wines such as the Periquita brand is matured. José Maria Fonseca is also credited for making Moscatel de Sétubal wines. Made from Moscatel or Muscat grapes, these wines are fortified and aged in oak barrels. Within the darkest and most cobwebbed regions of the ageing cellar lie true relics over 100 years old. The company has expanded into other wine regions applying the same values and dedication to produce wines that excel. The tour ends within the wine shop where as part of the tour you will sample three wines and can sample wines from their whole range, complementing the wine with regional gourmet products.

April to October 10h00 – 12h00/14h00pm - 17h30 | November to March 10h00 – 12h00/14h30pm - 16h30
Rua José Augusto Coelho 11/13, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal. | 38° 31' 05.2" N | 09° 00' 55.5" W
+351 212 198 940 | enoturismo@jmfonseca.pt | Website | Facebook

A mile and a half east of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão on the road to Setúbal is the magnificent 15th-century Paláçio da Bacalhoa and its beautiful gardens. The estate is considered to be one of the loveliest country houses in Portugal. Built by order of King Manuel I as a summer palace for his mother. The design is thought to be the work of the Tuscan sculptor and architect Sansovino. Amongst the building's most notable features are its Moorish melon domed towers and Italianate loggias. It was first restored in the 16th century and more recently in 1937 by the American Orlena Scoville. Inside there are antiques associated with Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II and Queen of England during the 17th century.

The gardens too are part of the tour and are some of the most outstanding in Portugal. Renaissance in style, they feature the oldest azulejo tile panel in the country depicting the story of Susannah and the Elders. Newly established vineyards spread out beneath the well-ordered French parterres, here too are rose bushes that flourish year-round. A symmetrical garden pool that placidly mirrors the genteel Renaissance geometry of an exquisitely tiled l6th Century pavilion. The tour around the Palace and grounds takes about 60 minutes and includes a wine tasting session of the fine Bacalhôa wines. Tours can be combined with visits to the museum and winery in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão. Note: All visits start at the Bacalhôa Winery in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão.

Monday - Saturday: 10h00 – 19h00, Sunday: CLOSED | Guided Tours 10h30, 11h30, 14h30, 15h30, 16h30
Bacalhôa Palace/Quinta: €4.00, Bacalhôa Museum & Palace/Quinta (inc. wine tasting): €6.00

10 Estrada Nacional, 2925-483, São Simão, Azeitão, Portugal. | 38° 31' 09.8" N | 09° 00' 49.7" W
+351 212 198 060 | bacalhoa@jpvinhos.com | Website

To the south of Azeitão, where the Arrábida Natural park meets the sea, one can find a series of beaches, most of which have Blue Flag status. Often marketed as Portugal's Dream Coast or Costa Azul this dramatic and beautiful coastline offers white sands, warm clear waters and stunning views. Take the coastal road off the N10-4 marked Praias and pass the cement works. There are buses from central Setúbal to most of these beaches:-

Praia Figueirinha, Outão

With the Arrábida Hills as the backdrop Figueirinha Beach extends over a great expanse of sand, at low tide a sandbank is exposed. Due to it's easy access, it's proximity to Setúbal (only five miles west), calm waters, size and amenities this Blue Flag beach can be quite popular, especially with those who have young families. 723

Praia de Galápos

Approached via a staircase the sheltered cove of the Galápos beach has crystal clear waters which are favoured by divers and bathers alike. With a calm swell, it's ideal for children and popular with windsurfers. Good ample parking and has a restaurant with facilities, who hire marquees as well as serve good coffee. There's a lifeguard at hand. The architectural record of the area indicates the richness of marine life here that have been harvested since Neolithic times.

Separated from Praia de Galápos by a few rocks is Praia Dos Galapinhos and offers the visitor a more tranquil and secluded spot to bathe. A little further along still is Praia dos Coelhos (Arrábida) . Coelho's beach is a small cove surrounded by forest at the foot of the Arrábida Natural Park. It consists of soft white sand, with clear and calm waters. The beach is small and quiet. It has a bar that can be accessed via Galapos beach or by boat. can be accessed via Galapos beach or by boat.

Portinho da Arrábida

Fourteen miles East of Sesimbra, in the direction of the Convento da Arrábida and down a meandering road is the tranquil little beach of Praia Portinho da Arrabida which is on the turn off after the road leading to the village of the same name. The water here is warm and crystal clear. It is a great spot both for divers and bathers. There's a 17th-century fort close to the village. It is now an oceanographic museum (Museo Oceanografico). It houses live and preserved local marine animals. There's a small restaurant on the beach and more further along the coast in Portinho da Arrabida village.

Founded in 1971 and covering 42 square miles (108 square kilometres) between Setúbal and Sesimbra, Palmela to the north and terminating at the Tejo estuary. Arrábida has a varied landscape from valleys surrounded by limestone mountain ridges, dramatic coastlines and the Arrábida mountain - Alto do Formosinho (499m) that stands guard over most of the park. This Nature Park contains vast amounts of Mediterranean shrubland biome and a large number of microhabitats. Perched on the slopes overlooking the sea is a whitewashed 16th-century Franciscan monastery. Alongside are five circular chapels which once were used for solitary meditation.

Where the park meets the sea one finds the crystal-clear waters of the beaches of the Costa Azul which, warm waters are popular with divers and bathers alike. It was along this stretch of coastline where Tracy Bond (played by Diana Rigg) was shot dead by Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat) in a drive-by shooting at the end of the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969.

The Convento da Arrábida was built in the 16th century and consists of three segments; the Old Monastery located on the uppermost part of the hill, the New Monastery laying about halfway down and set within the 25-hectare gardens is the Bom Jesus Shrine. In addition, there are outbuildings, such as the living quarters of the Duke of Aveiro and guest houses for pilgrims. The oldest part of the monastery stands on the summit of the Arrábida hills consists of four chapels, a series of shrines with themes on the Passion of Christ and cells hewn out of the living rock.

The first Duke of Aveiro Dom João de Lencastre (1501-1571) granted some of his lands to a Castilian Franciscan monk, Friar Martinho de Santa Maria. He founded the monastery in 1542. The setting was already a place of pilgrimage. There already existed the Memória Shrine and four resident monks. The site was expanded by the Duke of Aveiros son, Dom Jorge de Lencastre and included works such as the perimeter wall. Further building work was carried out later by his cousin Dom Álvaro. Later his son D. António de Lencastre ordered the Bom Jesus Shrine to be built in 1650. Following the suppression of the religious orders in 1834, the site fell into a state of abandonment. It was sold to the Palmela family in 1863. Restoration started in the 1940s and in 1990 the whole 25-hectare site was sold to the Fundação Oriente.

Adult: €5.00, Concessionary: €3.00
Wednesday to Sunday. Reservation is required. Closed in August
Convento da Arrábida, Apartado 28,– 2925, Azeitão, Portugal. | 38° 31' 09.8" N | 09° 00' 49.7" W
+351 212 197 620 | arrabida@foriente.pt | Website | Facebook