Alenquer Attractions

The seemingly rather sleepy little town of Alenquer (altitude: 160m/525ft), is tucked away about 45km/28mi north of Lisbon. Its population is mainly employed in the woolen and papermaking industries. It was the birthplace of the navigator and pilot Pero de Alenquer who was with Bartolomeu Dias when he discovered the Cape of Good Hope and with Vasco da Gama on his expedition to discover the sea route to India. Pero, a man of humble origin, won a great reputation for his extraordinary achievements, earning himself the nickname "prince of pilots" and access to the court. His exploits were vividly described in the writings of the diplomat and chronicler of Manuel I, Daimao de Góis (1507-71), scion of a noble Alenquer family.

Townscape

Alenquer's particular charm lies in its setting, with even the simplest of its houses clinging picturesquely to the slopes of the hillside on which it stands.