Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

112  THE LISBON C O AST

e Sesimbra
* 42,000. @ n Largo da Marinha
26–7 (212 288 540). ( Wed–Sat.
A steep narrow road leads
down to this busy fishing
village in a sheltered south-
facing bay. Protected from
north winds by the slopes of
the Serra da Arrábida, the town
has become a popular holiday
resort with Lisboetas. It was
occupied by the Romans
and later the Moors until King
Sancho II (see p20) conquered
its heavily defended forts in
1236. The old town is a maze of Colourful fishing boats in the harbour at Sesimbra
steep narrow streets, with the
Santiago Fort (now a customs promenade that follows r Palmela
post) in the centre overlooking the beach out of town. On the * 57,000. @ £ n Castelo de
the sea. From the terrace, which large trawlers (traineiras), the Palmela (212 332 122).
is open to the public during catch is mainly sardines, sea
the day, there are views over bream, whiting and swordfish; The formidable castle at Palmela
the town, the Atlantic and the on the smaller boats, octopus stands over the small hill town,
unspoilt wide sandy beach that and squid. In the late high on a northeastern spur of
stretches out on either side. afternoon, when the fishing the wooded Serra da Arrábida.
Sesimbra is fast developing boats return from a day at sea, Its strategic position dominates
as a resort, with holiday flats a colourful, noisy fish auction the plain for miles around,
mushrooming on the surround - takes place on the quayside. especially when floodlit at night.
ing hillsides and plentiful The day’s catch can be tasted Heavily defended by the Moors,
pavement cafés and bars that in the town’s excellent fish it was finally conquered in the
are always busy on sunny days, restaurants along the shore. 12th century and given by
even in winter, and offer a High above the town is Sancho I (see p20) to the Knights
surprisingly lively nightlife. the Moorish castle, greatly of the Order of Santiago. In
The fishing fleet of brightly restored in the 18th century 1423, João I transformed the
painted boats is moored in the when a church and small, castle into a monastery for the
Porto do Abrigo to the west of flower-filled cemetery were Order, which has been restored
the main town. The harbour is added inside the walls. There and converted into a splendid
reached by taking Avenida dos are wonderful views from the pousada (see p123), with a
Náufragos, a sweeping ramparts, especially at sunset. restaurant in the monks’
refectory and a swimming pool
for residents, hidden inside
the castle walls.
From the castle terraces, and
especially from the top of the
14th-century keep, there are
fantastic views all around, over
the Serra da Arrábida to the
south and on a clear day across
the Tagus to Lisbon. In the
town square below, the church
of São Pedro contains
18th-century tiles of scenes
from the life of St Peter.
The annual wine festival, the
Festa das Vindimas, is held on
the first weekend of September
in front of the 17th-century
Paços do Concelho (town hall).
Traditionally dressed villagers
press the wine barefoot and
on the final day of celebrations
there is a spectacular firework
The castle at Palmela with views over the wooded Serra da Arrábida display from the castle walls.

112-113_EW_Lisbon.indd 112 17/10/16 11:34 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm