PORTUGAL - The Wild Islet and the Medieval Village

The Royal Ice Factory is a small construction dated from the 18th century, which is considered by the International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage as a “unique example in the world due to the originality of its structures and its reasonably preserved condition”. And this is the place, at the top of Montejunto Hills – which is a Protected Area – where this PortugalBike Tour begins. Another interesting point of this tour is the Peniche Peninsula, a place of fishing traditions and from where you can admire one of the largest fishing and diving sanctuaries – the Wild Islet of Berlenga, also known as Berlenga Natural Reserve. This is a wonderful place to take a bath in the clear waters on the coast of this islet. Another highlight of this Tour is the Medieval Village of Obidos. Originally a Roman village, it was taken from the Moors in 1148. Its castle is classified as a national monument and it is a perfect example of a medieval fortress. This is a “village-museum”, perfectly preserved and walled by its high walls which perpetuate its medieval character. On our way to Obidos we will visit another smaller Peninsula - Baleal - where we can also refresh ourselves in the ocean. The next day we will ride along the beautiful Atlantic coast towards Nazare, the most typical beach in Portugal. This is a place full of old traditions and today we can still see the fishermen drying the fish under the sun as they did in the past. This is also a wonderful place to refresh ourselves in the blue waters or take a walk along the golden sand. Finally, there is a visit to the Natural Park of Candeeiros Hills where you can admire some prehistoric humanisation aspects of the landscape. We will also have the opportunity of visiting the most beautiful caves in Portugal with its stalactites and stalagmites.

The World Heritage of Sintra Hill
Sintra Hills – World Heritage – place of residence of many kings and queens, earls and barons and also Portuguese bourgeoisie. There are many palaces in Sintra (Sintra National Palace, Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Monserrate Palace, Seteais Palace, etc.) and the exuberant forest hides the most beautiful natural corners. And all this presents a very romantic and mystical environment; a paradisiacal and majestic place where no-one can remain indifferent to the charms of the hills.

The Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais includes three different types of landscapes: the rural landscape of the plain (the vast area northward from Colares), the luxuriant vegetation landscape (Sintra Hills) and the coast with its slopes or small cliffs, from the mouth of river Falcão and Cascais citadel, dominated by Cape Roca. Sintra Hills is a granitic massif formed about half a million years ago. The special characteristics of the soil originated unique vegetation and landscape. Its perimeter is approximately 30km and its highest point is Cruz Alta in Pena National Park (540m high).

The occupation of the hills and the grounds where the town is located today is confirmed since the Stone Age. The Romans called it Monte da Lua (Moon Hill) and Cynthia to the village and there they prayed to the Sun and the Moon. In the 9th and 10th centuries the Arabs described Sintra as having fertile soil, abundant water and multiple species of trees. With an enviable geographical position, its limits offer the best strategic defence positions and yet it was always more loved than desired, more sacred than envied. It was always a place of cult and adoration, a temple of oblation and rituals and never the scenery of bloody battles. It is said that Sintra never witnessed bloodshed.

The castle was taken by D. Afonso Henriques – it is said that there were only 4 Moors in the castle who gave their weapons peacefully. Several generations of Portuguese Kings dedicated themselves to the town, the castle and its surroundings perpetuating the respect and veneration. The 15th and 16th centuries were palmy days for the social, economical and artistic development of Sintra. In the 19th century the old Franciscan monastery in Pena was converted into the present exotic Pena Palace. This is one of the monuments that is worth visiting in Sintra, apart from the Sintra National Palace (with its 33m high chimneys), the Moorish Castle (with its amazing view), Monserrate Palace (with its park of luxuriant vegetation), Seteais Palace (from where you can see the ocean and the tilled plain and at the top of the hill Pena Palace), Santa Maria Church, Peninha Sanctuary, etc.
PICTURES

Pena Palace is a unique architechtonical example merging many different styles in one monument.



The village of Sintra and its Palace with its two peculiar chimneys. The village has a romantique atmosphere with its narrow and winding streets.



Pena Palace is in the top of Sintra Hills within the Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais which is classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.




Another amazing view from the top of the Moorish Castle also located in the Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais.