Óbidos, Centro One Place Study
Location: Óbidos, Leiria, Portugal
Surnames/tags: One_Place_Studies Centro Portugal
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Óbidos, Centro One Place Study
Name
Obidos, (Central Region) Portugal
Geography
- Continent: Europe
- Country: Portugal
- Region: Centro
- District: Leiria
- GPS Coordinates: 39.358056, -9.157778
- Elevation: 57.4 m or 188.2 feet
Located near the Atlantic Ocean coast, but still considered a central town, it's municipality is divided administratively into 7 civil parishes (freguesias).
Population
3100 approximately (Town)
11,800 (Municipality) (Lower surrounding region)
Overview
Near the Atlantic Ocean, in the province of Estremadura lies the small town and municipality of Óbidos.
Dating back to the Celtic period, it's name is derived in Latin as 'Oppidum' which loosely translates to 'walled city'. It's been controlled by the Romans, Visigoths, and the Moors, and later under the Portuguese King Afonso Henriques (died 1185), and Queen's as well.
It's a town fit for a queen, that's why it's called the 'Town of Queens'. In 1210 - King Afonso II (1185-1223) gave the title of the village to his wife, Queen Consort Urraca (1187-1220) as a wedding present, a tradition that was continually passed down from king to queen up until the 1800's.
The town is designated a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, and books are integrated into every aspect of life in Óbidos — libraries, museums, galleries, residences, public spaces, and markets.
Whether you seek out the historical castle walls or just wonder along the main street of Rua Direita, this town is a step back in time, and a photographers paradise.
Historical Timeline
308 B.C. - Óbidos originally started by Celtic tribe, 'The Lusitanos'.
1st Century - Under the Romans, they called it Eburobrittium.
8th Century
713 - As the Moors arrived, they fortified a strategic location on the hill.
12th Century
1148 - Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques took control from the Moors.
1195 - In the reign of King Sancho I (1154-1211) the new village received a ‘foral’ (charter).
13th Century
1210 - King Afonso II (1185-1223) gave the title of this village to his wife, Queen Urraca, aka Urraca of Castile (1187-1220).
1246 - King Sancho II (1209-1248) gave Óbidos the title of ‘Most Noble and Eternally Loyal’.
1282 - On their wedding day, King Dinis I (1261-1325) gifted the village to Queen Consort Isabella, aka Elizabeth of Aragon (1271-1336).
14th Century
1309 - Queen Isabella (1271-1336) visits Óbidos and commands the construction of the Chapel of St. Vincent.
15th Century
1441 -The wedding of King Afonso V (1432-1481) (age 9) to his cousin, Princess Isabella of Coimbra (1432-1455) (age 10) takes place.
1462 - King Joao II (John II) (1455-1495) visits Óbidos.
1491 - Queen Consort Eleanor, aka Eleanor of Viseu (1458-1525) (wife of King Joao II) retired to Óbidos.
1498 - Queen Consort Eleanor, aka Eleanor of Viseu (1458-1525) founded the Igreja (church) da Misericordia (Almshouse).
16th Century
1513 -Administrative reforms are put in place by King Manuel I (1469-1521).
1525- Dom Joao de Noronha, the Town Mayor, dies.
1527 - King Joao III (John III) (1502-1557) fostered teaching of Theology and Mathematics.
1560 - The Cardinal-King Henrique (1512-1580) orders the construction of a Franciscan Monastery (Estate of St. Michael).
1570 - Town fountains and an aqueduct are ordered by Queen Consort Catherine, aka Catherine of Austria (1507-1578) (wife of King John III).
17th Century
1684 - Spanish born Portuguese painter, Josefa de Ayala Figueira, aka Josefa de Óbidos (1630 -1684) died.
18th Century
1755 - A major earthquake in the region caused damage to the village walls, churches, and many buildings.
19th Century
1808 - napoleon was defeated at the 'Battle of Rolica' just outside the town.
20th Century
1970 - The Municipal Museum is opened.
1973 - First meeting of the Armed Forces Movement held in the Obidense Musical Entertainment Society Saloon.
1974 - The revolt called ‘Carnation Revolution’ took place.
1993 - Restoration of the town hall.
21st Century
2015 - UNESCO recognized Óbidos as City of Literature.
Historical Landmarks
Aqueduto de Óbidos (Aqueduct of Óbidos) c.1570
Located outside the town at a length of 3 km, it was ordered by Queen Catherine of Austria (1507-1578) (wife of King João III) (1502-1557).
Castelo de Óbidos
With an unknown build date, the medieval Gothic and Baroque styled castle featuring a cylindrical tower sits about 259 feet (79 m) above sea level.
The castle of Óbidos is also known as one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal. It's a must see attraction on any visit here.
Igreja de Misericordia (Formerly the “Chapel of the Holy Spirit,” it became known as the Church of Mercy).
Featuring tiled walls and beautiful art, the Igreja de Misericordia is located just steps away from the Igreja de Santa Maria.
It was the place of worship of the sick and the poor, many of them hospitalized in the baroque annex. Today it’s more a museum than a place of worship, exhibiting several works of art.
Igreja de Santa Maria aka Matriz de Óbidos c. Visigothic period
It was converted into a mosque during the Muslim period and then converted to Christianity after D. Afonso Henriques conquered the village in 1148.
It was the site of the marriage between King Afonso and Queen Isabel in the 1400s.
It features painted ceilings and walls of azulejos (tiles).
Pillory (Pelourinho de Óbidos) c.1492
Óbidos’ pillory stands in front of Santa Maria Church.
It was a gift to the town from Queen Leonor in memory of her only son (who died in 1491 in an accident by the Tagus River.
This pillory was used to expose criminals to the public as the accused would often be hung naked thereon and locals would throw objects at him or her.
Porta da Vila
Porta da Vila is the Gothic arched main gate to the town of Óbidos, It’s actually made up of two low-rise staggered gateways (one outside and one inside) to prevent a direct attack. Between the gateways is a balcony that served as an oratory (See Porta da Vila Balcony below.)
Porta da Vila Balcony
Located between the two main entry gateways is a tiled balcony that served as an oratory, embellished with beautiful blue and white azulejos (tiles) dating to 1740 which depict the Passion of Christ. The painted ceiling above the tiles illustrates a crown of thorns.
Notable People
Baltazar Gomes Figueira (1604–1674)
Occupation: Still life painter
Born: Óbidos, Portugal
Died: Óbidos, Portugal
Bio Summary: Working for the House of Bragança, in the court of D. João IV and D. Afonso VI, he had the functions of painter and evaluator of works of art.
His daughter , also a painter was Josefa Ayala (Josefa de Óbidos).
Josefa de Óbidos (birth name was Josefa de Ayala Figueira) (1630–1684)
Occupation: Painter
Born: Seville, Spain
Died: Óbidos, Portugal
Bio Summary: A Baroque painter who completed approximately 150 works of art making her one of the best Baroque artists in Portugal. She always signed her work as "Josefa em Óbidos" or "Josefa de Ayalla".
Josefa also completed several altarpieces for churches and convents in central Portugal, as well as portraits and still-life.
Miguel da Natividade (1630–1690)
Occupation: Composer
Born: Óbidos, Portugal
Died: Alcobaca, Portugal
Bio Summary: Not available
Armando da Silva Carvalho (1938–2017)
Occupation: Writer
Born: Olho Marinho, Portugal
Died: Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
Bio Summary: Not available
Carlos Zorrinho (born 1959)
Occupation: Politician, University Professor
Born: Óbidos, Portugal
Died: Not applicable
Bio Summary: He graduated in Business Management at the University of Évora, where he later pursued a Doctorate Degree in Information Management.
Member of the National Council of the Socialist Party since 1990.
Festivals
https://www.ourescapeclause.com
Spring - Chocolate Festival
Summer - Mercado (Marketplace) Medieval Fair
Fall - FOLIO (the International Literary Festival)
Winter - Christmas Village
Sources
- ↑ International Living; https://internationalliving.com
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Travel Awaits; https://www.travelawaits.com
- ↑ Chasing Lenscapes; https://www.chasinglenscapes.com
- ↑ Julie Dawn Fox; https://juliedawnfox.com
- ↑ Obidos Portugal Tourism; https://www.obidosportugaltourism.com/
- ↑ Stuart M. Wilson; Personal Visit, June 2023
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ My Portugal Holiday; https://myportugalholiday.com
- ↑ Galen Frysinger; http://www.galenfrysinger.com
- ↑ Obidos Portugal Tourism; https://www.obidosportugaltourism.com
- ↑ Our Escape Clause; https://www.ourescapeclause.com
- ↑ Conde Nast Traveler; https://www.cntraveler.com
- ↑ Red White Adventures; https://redwhiteadventures.com
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/
- ↑ Stuart M. Wilson, Personal Visit, June 2023
- ↑ Paintings before 1800; https://www.paintingsbefore1800.com
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
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