At Lisboa Secreta, we love writing about our city, but we also love ‘discovering’ the surrounding area and, in particular, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. So this time, it’s time to get to know the municipality of Odivelas better.
In this context, we’ve prepared a list of eight of the many attractions this place has to offer. Plus, you get a bonus at the end.
But why Odivelas? Well, that’s a question with an easy answer. This municipality has a vast historical and cultural heritage, as well as a gastronomic one . So, when you run out of ideas for an outing, you know where to go.
Places to visit in Odivelas
1 – Odivelas Memorial
The Odivelas Memorial (also known as the “Cross”) is located in the historic center and is an interesting example of the Gothic style in Portugal. There are three main parts to this construction : the base, the double superimposed arcade and the crown.
On the monument you can see the medieval Portuguese coat of arms, which was used on the Armory until the reign of King Ferdinand. In addition, the Odivelas Memorial is topped by a cross, made up of four semicircles, reminiscent of a flower.
Even today, there is some uncertainty as to its origin and meaning.
Where: Largo da Memória
2 – Padrão do Senhor Roubado
This is one of the places you should consider when visiting Odivelas. It is a religious monument dating from the 18th century and has a particular symbolism.
Its construction was due to the fact that the relics stolen from the Mother Church of Odivelas in the 17th century were found here. The purpose of the monument was therefore to mark the finding of these pieces.
The monument is particularly noteworthy for its wall lined with monochrome tiles.
Where: Rua Pedro Álvares Cabral/Rua do Sr. Roubado
3 – Museum Center of the Anta das Pedras Grandes
Classified as a National Monument in 1944, the Dolmen of Pedras Grandes, in Odivelas, is a characteristic tomb from the Neolithic period, around 3500-3000 BC.
It is a dolmen with a chamber formed by seven pillars and a small corridor facing southwest. It was presented to the scientific community in the 19th century by archaeologist Carlos Ribeiro.
Where: Bairro Casal Novo, Caneças
4 – Moinho da Laureana Museum Center
Windmills have a high heritage value in the municipality of Odivelas. But why? Well, they are direct testimonies of the regional milling activity between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Of particular note is the Moinho da Laureana (under municipal supervision), which was restored in 2001. The first references to it date back to 1763.
It is a typical mill from the south of Portugal and is one of the fixed mills with a cylindrical masonry tower and a removable hood with an interior rail. Moinho da Laureana has one floor and a store.
Where: Rua dos Moinhos, Jardim Gertrudes da Velha, Famões
5 – Covas Mill Museum Center
Moinho das Covas is another place to visit in the municipality of Odivelas. Built in 1884, this is a direct testimony to the existing agricultural activity, in which cereals predominated.
It was restored in 1996 and consists of two floors and a store. Each floor has a couple of millstones and the store is used for packing and selling flour.
Where: Ramada Secondary School – Bairro dos Bons Dias, Ramada
6 – Monastery of São Dinis and São Bernardo
Classified as a National Monument since 1910. The monastery was founded by King Dinis in the 13th century. This temple was donated to the Bernard Nuns of the Cistercian Order.
During the reigns of King João IV and King João V, the monastery underwent significant changes. However, it was the reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake that profoundly altered the building’s layout.
Although the building is currently closed to the public due to works, it couldn’t be missing from this list.
Where: Largo D. Dinis
7 – Fountains
The municipality of Odivelas has several fountains, but here we will highlight the following:
- Fontainhas Fountain – this is a public fountain and the oldest, with its source in the Ribeira das Águas Livres;
- Fonte dos Passarinhos – was inaugurated in 1934 and has rustic surroundings.
8 – Mother Church of Póvoa de Sto. Adrião
This is another of the places to visit in Odivelas. Located in the old urban center of the parish, the church dates back to the 16th century. Here, the Manueline-style front portico and holy water font stand out.
The church underwent alterations in the 17th and 18th centuries. Also noteworthy in the chancel are the canvas “A Ceia” by the painter Pedro Alexandrino (1802) and the canvases of the Four Doctors of the Church, also by the same painter.
Where: Rua da Igreja Póvoa de Santo Adrião, Póvoa de Santo Adrião
Odivelas White Marmalade
As promised, in addition to our list of places to visit in Odivelas, we have a bonus for you.
If you decide to take a trip to this municipality, don’t forget to try the famous Marmelada Branca de Odivelas.
What is it? It’s a typical product, born in the Monastery of São Dinis and São Bernardo de Odivelas, which is distinguished by its white color (or almost) and its fruity taste. A conventual delight waiting to be tasted.
More information: here
https://lisboasecreta.co/sitios-para-visitar-no-montijo/