safe and sound...

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Safe and sound, inside the walls...
 

standing on the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

shot taken from the wall above...

 

There's no place like home

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

                                                                  -John Howard Payne

protective walls

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Homes tucked away among protective walls...
 

rooftops amid the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This hilltop fortification was taken from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in 1148.  Throughout the different reigns of the kings, towers, keeps and other parts of the castle have been added, creating a picture perfect spectacle.

 

side streets

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This picturesque town, but at the same time busy with its cultural calendar, celebrates many events throughout the year, including a variety of festivals such as Baroque and classical music, along with opera, harpsichord, piano and contemporary art.  Holy week processions, Christmas and medieval markets as well as chocolate festivals are all on the calendar of events celebrated in Óbidos.

medieval and literary

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This Moorish castle and walls around the city, originating from the 8th century, today form part of the pousadas of Portugal.  A pousada is a chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels that exist throughout the country.  Next to the castle is the Igreja de Santiago dating from the 12th century, but was completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake of Lisbon. It was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century and eventually was left to ruin until Ler Devagar (an independent bookshop which translates into "read slowly") decided to take over and convert it into a literary space, along with 7 other locations, turning this medieval wonder into a literary town, with plans to open more in the future.