From centuries-old palaces and churches to museums of the most diverse themes, the municipality of Loures, just outside Lisbon, promises to surprise you with the history and culture it holds.
Want to go there? Take a look at our itinerary and set off for this land of contrasts.
1 – Wine and Vine Museum, in Bucelas
The wine-growing tradition of the municipality, particularly of the Bucelas region, is revealed in this museum with two main areas.
One of them houses the permanent exhibition, dedicated to wine, vines and the grape harvest, while the mezzanine is used for temporary exhibitions.
It also houses a store, workshops, a documentation center on wine and another related to the Peninsular Wars.
2 – Sacavém Ceramics Museum
Where the Sacavém Crockery Factory once stood, there is now an interesting museum dedicated to ceramics and the industrial heritage of Loures.
Winner of several national and international awards, it has several exhibition rooms, workshops, an auditorium and a documentation center.
3 – Loures Municipal Museum, in Santo António dos Cavaleiros
Located in a former convent of Franciscan friars, this museum opened in 1998 and showcases the history, ethnography and archaeology of the municipality of Loures.
It has two exhibition rooms, a documentation center and a cafeteria with a terrace.
4 – Vieira da Silva Municipal Gallery
This is a cultural space located on the second floor of the former Expo 98 Macau Pavilion in Loures City Park.
It hosts a wide variety of exhibitions and other events.
5 – Palácio do Correio-Mor, in Loures
Built in the 18th century by the Italian architect António Canevaria, this imposing palace belonged to Luís Gomes de Elvas Coronel, the postmaster general at the time, who administered all the kingdom’s postal services.
The façade features two large arches through which the postal carriages entered and exited, and between them is a beautiful fountain where the horses drank water.
On the first floor, it’s also worth admiring the stables, the stables, the wine press and the old kitchen. On the noble floor, the rooms reveal valuable tiles, secular paintings and carved ceilings.
6 – Largo Monumental, in Santo Antão do Tojal
The Archbishops’ Palace, the Mother Church, the Monumental Fountain and the Aqueduct (two kilometers long and with 90 arches) make up a monumental complex with baroque features, built in the 18th century.
Like the Palácio do Correio-Mor (and the Águas Livres Aqueduct in Lisbon), it was also designed by the Italian architect António Canevari.
7 – Pirescoxe Castle, in Santa Iria da Azóia
With its origins in the 15th century, it’s not really a castle, but a manor house typical of the nobility of the late Middle Ages.
Today, it houses a municipal gallery, inaugurated in 2001, which, in addition to temporary exhibitions, also explains the history of this monument.
8 – Church of Santa Maria de Loures
Dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, this beautiful church has its origins in an ancient Templar chapel.
Inside, the decorative paintings from the 17th century, the gilded altarpieces and a 17th century canvas depicting the communion of St. Margaret of Cortona stand out.
9 – Convent of Nossa Senhora dos Mártires da Conceição, in Sacavém
Built in the 16th century on the site of an old oratory (dedicated to Our Lady of the Martyrs), it housed a religious order until 1877, when it became part of the Ministry of War.
10 – Loures City Park
Covering more than four hectares, this is one of the city’s most pleasant green spaces. As well as housing the Vieira da Silva Municipal Gallery (in the former Expo 98 Macau Pavilion), it also has two playgrounds, picnic areas, a maintenance circuit and a multi-sports pavilion.
Esta é a Área Metropolitana de Lisboa que não sabias que existia