Santa Maria church's interior is faced with 17th century azulejos, and the ceiling has painted religious scenes.

Óbidos - an inimitable mediaeval town

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August 30th 2015
Every country has at least one historic town that is considered to be its crowning glory. In Canada that town is arguably Quebec City: in Portugal it’s unquestionably Óbidos, which has been declared a national monument. Originally a Moorish stronghold, it was captured by King Afonso Enriques in 1148. Thereafter a castle was built, and both the castle and the surrounding town were enlarged, enco ... read more

Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Óbidos

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Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil a... ... read more