Tourist Attractions in Caldas da Rainha
About 100km/62mi north of Lisbon and only about 10km/6mi from the Atlantic, Caldas da Rainha (altitude: 50m/165ft) is one of Portugal's leading spas, with hot sulfur springs (34.5°C/94.1°F) which are particularly recommended for the treatment of rheumatism. Visitors flock from far and near to its Monday market in the central square. There are always some stalls seling the local majolica ware. This bright and often rather crudely colored ware, which is also obtainable throughout the town, is very different from that found in the north.
History
The story to which the town owes its name - "the Queen's hot baths" - is that the virtues of the mineral springs were discovered by Queen Leonor, wife of Joao II, who observed the local peasants bathing in the water to cure pains in their joints. She then sold her jewels and used the money to found a hospital (1484), to which she herself often came to take the cure.
History
The story to which the town owes its name - "the Queen's hot baths" - is that the virtues of the mineral springs were discovered by Queen Leonor, wife of Joao II, who observed the local peasants bathing in the water to cure pains in their joints. She then sold her jewels and used the money to found a hospital (1484), to which she herself often came to take the cure.
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Obidos, Portugal
(Near Caldas da Rainha)
Óbidos is a picturesque walled town with well preserved buildings, narrow cobbled streets, and an impressive lack of modern buildings. As a major tourist town, shops and restaurants are abundant.
Hospital Termal
This bath house in the old town center was founded by Queen Leonor and rebuilt in the mid-18th C. under King Joao IV, who also frequented the spa.
Igreja Nossa Senhora do Pópulo
Adjoining the Hospital Termal, to the east, is the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Pópulo. This too was founded by Queen Leonor, and built in 1500 by the famous architect Boytaca. It has a separate tower, the lower part of which is square and the upper part octagonal. Notable features of the interior are a fine triptych and a Manueline chancel arch. The little baptistery and the font are richly decorated with azulejos.
