Day 7 Day Trip Leiria

Weather today was high of 18C Scattered clouds, comfortable.

Today we ventured off to a new town called Leiria, a forty minute drive from our condo in Sao Martinho do Porto. We had researched a market in the town, but on arrival we were told that the market had moved. We had already parked underground, so decided to stay. Turned out it was a great deal…only $4.40 euros for the full day! We found the local “tourismo” office where the lady gave us a map of the town. We made our way through lovely gardens and found the daily market. It was quite impressive! Large, very clean and organized. Lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and a stand with nuts, berries and figs etc. If we were staying in the town we definitely would have made great use of that market.

Next stop was the main Cathedral of the town: Sé Cathedral de Leiria:

The construction of the Cathedral began in 1546, following a project by the architect Afonso Álvares, who opted for a Mannerist style for the exterior, conserving a harmonious interior with three naves of the same height, of late Renaissance inspiration. The church was only consecrated in 1574, when it had no sacristy or other facilities. In ensuing centuries some changes were made thanks to Episcopal action. The cathedral was huge and very beautiful. So glad that we had visited it.

A local museum of Cinematography…which is the art and craft of making motion pictures by capturing a story visually. A huge collection of old movie making cameras and paraphernalia. The cost of the museum and the castle visit was a great bargain for 2.50 euros each. It even had a view master like we had back in 1987!

Lunch was soon upon us at we ventured to a recommendation from the “Frugal Travellers” You tube video on Leiria to go to a restaurant called “Porto Arthur”. We both choose the vegetarian pasta menu option of the “Pria de Dia”. It included your choice of wine (250mls), we choose house red (Casa vino tinto), bread, olives, coffee or dessert. So we both had a dessert and a coffee. The main was also served with a side salad. Our desserts were a pear and walnut pastry and a custard flan. Everything was delicious! And all for 9 euro each.

We found ourselves in another church that has now been made into a museum. The lady attended asked us to fill out an evaluation of the place because she said she rarely gets any English speaking visitors. It was intriguing and well preserved.

After lunch was time to visit the castle! Dom Afonso Henriques, the first Christian conqueror of Leiria in 1135 and the founder of its castle, the town was the advance guard for his strategy of conquering Santarém, Sintra and Lisbon from the Moors, which took place in 1147.

You could travel to the castle either by funicular or the use of two outdoor evaluators. This venue gave you a spectacular view of the city…you had full view of the saddle dome stadium in the foreground. The castle was very impressive!

Once back at the condo we made our way up the hill across from the condo, for a view of the ocean with massive waves!