Hang out in Medieval Village Obidos

view of  walled village from ramparts

 We started driving Portuguese roads when we left Lisbon. Highways are very nice, and are expensive toll roads. City streets are just that. Village roads get narrower and a bit more challenging. All roads include traffic circles/roundabouts, no matter the size.  

But driving in a walled medieval village is super challenging since the right of ways were built for horses. And the gate roads through the thick walls are often twisted 90 degrees to slow down any attacking armies. 

Cobblestones are everywhere, even in the cities. So rolling a luggage bag is challenging. No one wears heels on their shoes even when they dress up.

  Driving through front gate

Obidos is a walled medieval city that was gifted to Queen Isabel of Portugal on her wedding day in 1282, and continued to be gifted to each queen following her.  There is a castle, renovated as a hotel and restaurant (where we ate), interesting shops and small restaurants, an active Catholic church (more on this later) and hilly cobblestone streets to wander.  We spent a night in a renovated village house and got to explore the quiet village at night - magical!

Turk on the lookout for attacking armies

aqueduct from 1570 brought water to the village

Finds in this town - chocolate (they have a festival every spring), sour cherry liqueur ginja served in chocolate cups, handmade linens and pottery. But mostly just charm!

alley between streets

note the wall graffiti (in this case signed art)

colorful walls, flowers, door and tile above it

1200's small Baroque chapel, is the south gate updated 1700's

ramparts looking to castle

view out the wall

castle originated with Moors 700s

alcove on street for Virgin Mary shrine

Night was a special time to be in Obidos village. The tourist buses were gone and the locals were going about their lives.

Turk exploring the village in evening haze

everyone carried candles, and sang

Men carried statue of Mary adorned in flowers

 

On this evening, the church was full as the congregation participated in mass, and then a procession through the narrow streets in  honor of the Virgin Mary. Mary is very important to the people of Portugal. She is the patron saint and she appeared to 3 children in Fatima in May 1917.  

 the procession with song

procession passing the church Igreja De Santa Maria

dinner in castle restaurant