Buarcos Fort Rua 5 de Outubro Buarcos

This fort formed part of the coastal defence, along with the Santa Catarina Fort and the small fort of Palheiros, designed to protect the seaport and its population. From the fortified construction, which dates back to the XVI century or the beginning of the XVII century, only the backdrop of the wall remains which follows the contours of the sea front at Buarcos. It has been classified as a Monument of Public Interest since 1961.

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Buarcos Pillory Buarcos Figueira da Foz

Within the parish of Buarcos two pillories can be found – one belongs to the old village of Redondos and is known as the “Pelourinho de Redondos”, the other is in Buarcos. They are very similar monuments, both ‘Manueline’ in style dating from the XVI century and built in limestone. The coats of arms of both villages are carved into the monuments. They have been classified as Monuments of Public Interest since 1933.

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Carniçosas Dolmen Serra das Alhadas Figueira da Foz

It is the best preserved collective grave in a vast cemetery which was built along the mountain ridge during the Neolithic period. It is still possible to see the chamber and a corridor, marked by large stone supports. In 1898, the dolmen was acquired by the Archaeological society of Figueira who protected it with a wall, unfortunately, built on top of the mamoa, an artificial mound of earth and stones which is an integral part of the monument.

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Casa do Paço Largo Prof. Vítor Guerra Figueira da Foz Tel.: 233 401 320 Fax: 233 420 555

This buiding was constructed in the XVII century on the orders of D. João de Melo, Bishop of the dioceses of Coimbra, Elvas and Viseu. It is seen as a curious architectural space especially noted for its façade and domed tower facing the river. The interior has an excellent collection of Delft tiles dating from the end of the XVII century, a series of which cover most of the walls of four rooms. These tiles depict country scenes, religious activities and scenes of men on horseback.

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Castro Santa Olaia (Roman) Santana Figueira da Foz

A hamlet founded by the Phoenicians in the VII century B.C. built on a small hill, which dominated the estuary of the Mondego River when it was navigable. The remains of the rectangular shaped houses are still visible with evidence of a street layout. The archaeological collections, which can be seen in the Municipal museum, include various metallic and ceramic pieces. The large vase containers for storage and transport of provisions are of special interest.

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	Cross Figueira da Foz
The stone cross in the East Cemetery was erected in 1812 in honour of the 5000 victims of plague and famine which spread throughout Figueira in 1810 during the 3rd French Invasion led by Massena. These victims were buried within the grounds of the Santo António Convent.The convent has been classified as a Monument of Public Interest since 1961.

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Dr. Santos Rocha Municipal Museum Rua Calouste Gulbenkian 3080-084 Figueira da Foz Tel. 233 402840 Fax 233 402846

Inaugurated on May 6 1894, the municipal museum had various homes until it received its own premises in the 1970s. It contains archaeological collections of great wealth and local and national importance, including religious sculptures, ceramics, Indo-Portuguese furniture, weapons, coin collections and African and Oriental costumes and ethnography. The museum has complemented its collection of paintings and sculpture with works by contemporary Portuguese artists. It was honoured in 1993 by the Portuguese Association of Museums when it was awarded the prize for “Best museum of the year”.

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Figueira da Foz Pillory Praça General Freire de Andrade Figueira da Foz

A symbol of the autonomous dispensing of justice, especially for the local councils and diocese. The Figueira da Foz pillory dates back to 1782, although no records exist for it being used for any punishment. Baroque civic style architecture. It consists of a pedestal and an elegant, twisted upright section, crowned with a multipart capital carved with national emblems. It has been classified as a National Monument, since 1910.

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Fort and Santa Catarina Chapel Avenida de Espanha Figueira da Foz

This construction formed part of the coastal defences along with the Buarcos Fort and the small fort of Palheiros. It is believed that construction first started towards the end of the XVI century, however work was only concluded the following century. It lost its military status in the XIX century and only its beacon remained, to help with navigation and guide boats into the harbour. Inside there is a small XVII century chapel dedicated to Santa Catarina, with a typical fortress formation. Both monuments were classified in 1961.

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	Maiorca Palace Largo do Paço – Maiorca Figueira da Foz Tel.: 233 939 481 Entrada: Adultos: € 1,25 Dos 12 aos 25 anos / Mais de 65 anos: € 0,75 Visitas de estudo (solicitadas por escolas): entrada gratuita
Entry fee:

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	Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Chapel Buarcos – Figueira da Foz
This XVII century Baroque construction went through several different reconstructions and restorations in subsequent centuries. Its XIX century alter piece bears an image of Our Lady of the Incarnation, patron-saint of the religious festival which takes place on 8th September.

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Nossa Senhora de Seiça Chapel Seiça – Paião Figueira da Foz

This chapel is the scene of great devotion during the Festivals of Our Lady of Seiça, commemorated every year on 15th August. It is octagonal in shape and Baroque in style, dating from the XVII century. The building is covered by an eight-sided dome and inside are a number of popular style religious pictures and traditional Portuguese wall tiles manufactured in Coimbra. It has been classified as a Building of Public Interest since 1970

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Pedro Fernandes Tomás Municipal Library Rua Calouste Gulbenkian 3080-084 Figueira da Foz Tel. 233 402840 Fax 233 402846 Opening Period: All year (Monday to Friday) Opening times: 9.15 a.m– 7.15p.m 3080-084 Figueira da Foz Tel. 233 402840 Fax 233 402846 Abertura: Todo o ano (de segunda a sexta) Horário : 9H15 – 19H15

Public Spaces:Periodical Library: free access to local and national newspapers and magazines. Adults: viewing of monographs, back issues, reference works. Figueirense room: works by local authors or works referring to local personalities, associations, institutions and historical facts, monographs issued by the City Council, catalogues of exhibitions and cultural programmes promoted in the area. There is also a space to view documentation belonging to the Municipal Historical Archive and personal or association archives which have been donated. Young Person’s Room: access to a vast bibliography catalogued by subject area and viewing of films and documentaries. This room also has a Story Hour every week for younger readers (subject to prior reservation). Other Services: Free Internet access, free borrowing, bibliographic research guidance, access to temporary exhibitions, free access to bibliographic data base, guided tours (please book in advance), photocopying service.

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	Redondos Tower Intersection of Rua de Santa Cruz and Rua do Castelo Buarcos Figueira da Foz
Redondos Tower from an “old square castle which was built to stand above the village”, also known as “Tower” or “Redondos Castle”, which was mentioned in a donation from D. Afonso Henriques in 1143. Today, however, only a corner piece exists. From its strategic position, it defended the population from invasion and the landing of enemy troops.

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S. Julião church Largo de S. Julião Figueira da Foz Tel.: 233 422 325

The oldest reference to this building goes back to 1096 but little was known about the building until reconstruction work was started in 1716. The front of the church is flanked by two towers and a typically XVII interior despite remodelling work done in the XIX century. Of special interest is the main altar and one of the side chapels where a small altarpiece in stone from the XVI century can be seen.

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S. Pedro church Largo de S. Pedro – Buarcos

Destroyed by the earthquake of 1755, it was later rebuilt in 1766 and only finished at the end of the century. Reconstructed in a poor Rococo style, both the façade and the interior are modest. A special feature of the Santa Cruz chapel is a XVI century stone altar, brought from a ruined church. The Baptism chapel, as well as the font in the shape of a womb, also has a XVII century altar and tiles from the same period. The Santíssimo Sacramento chapel dates from the XIX-XX centuries.

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Santo António Convent Rua Gonçalo Velho Figueira da Foz

Founded in 1527, by a monk called António de Buarcos, with the support of D. João III and financial support from António Fernandes de Quadros, Master of Tavarede. This building, which suffered frequently in different times due to political and social upheavals such as Spanish domination, underwent great changes, mostly in terms of architecture, especially during the extensive remodelling which took place in 1725. The only remaining religious section is the Santo António church. All the other buildings were given different functions. Of special interest are the elegant exterior and a more austere interior, complete with sculptures and paintings. Adjoining this building is the S. Francisco Chapel, belonging to the Third Order. It is thought that this building dates back to the beginning of the XIX century.

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Seiça Monastery Seiça – Paião Figueira da Foz

D. Afonso Henriques (XII century) commissioned this primitive Benedictine monastery and respective church to be built near a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady. It had an important role in the development of farming in the lower Mondego region. In 1195, D. Sancho I affiliated the Seiça monastery to one in Alcobaça. In the XVI century, D. João III annulled this order and passed its income on to the Orders Avis and Cristo. The monastery was then once again passed to the Cister Order by D. Sebastião. It benefited from numerous royal, Episcopal and papal privileges. From the rebuilding work carried out in the XVII century, all that remains today is the imposing façade and its side towers.

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Senhora da Conceição Chape Largo Senhora da Conceição – Buarcos

Built in the XVI century, this chapel was originally dedicated to Our Lady of Riba-mar. In 1640, after the Restoration of Independence, it came to be known as Senhora da Conceição, after the crowning of Nossa Senhora da Conceição by D. João IV in Vila Viçosa as Queen of Portugal. The altars are XVII century, although it is thought that the side altars were not originally part of the chapel. The tiles are XVIII century. The pulpit, in the shape of a chalice, belonged to the Santa Cruz church, the high altar of which can today be found in the church of São Pedro.

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Small fort of Palheiros Urbanização do Palácio Sotto Maior Buarcos

Little remains of this small artillery fort, commissioned during the liberal wars by D. Miguel. Situated on a raised area above the village of Palheiros, it includes a semi-circular turret made up of ten firing points with a wall and parapets. It provided crossfire with the fortresses at Buarcos and Figueira da Foz to defend the coast. It has been classified as a Monument of Public Interest since 1963.

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Sotto Mayor Palace Rua Joaquim Sotto Mayor Figueira da Foz Tel: 233 422 121 Fax: 233 408 403 Opening times:2 p.m. – 6 p.m. (closed on Mondays) Price: 1 € / person

Privately owned and built at the beginning of the XX century on the orders of Joaquim Sotto Mayor. This palace is a luxurious French style house designed by Gaston Landeck, with a magnificent façade and set in extensive grounds. Some of the finest artists of the time contributed to the interior design of the house, such as Dordio Gomes, Joaquim Lopes and António Ramalho. A number of items of furniture are also of special interest.

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Tavarede Palace Largo do Paço – Tavarede Figueira da Foz

The history of this building dates back to the XVI century when the first construction was carried out following the wishes of António Fernandes de Quadros, Master of the House of Buarcos and Vila Verde, who established the Hereditary Privileges of Tavarede. Damage to this building started in the XVIII century, when the North façade was completely remodelled and also during the following century when major reconstruction work was carried out on the main vaults of the building in a “false Manueline” style. It has been classified as a building of Public Interest since 1982. The local council is currently developing and overseeing a project to renovate and bring life back to this building.

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The church of Misericórdia de Buarcos Buarcos – Figueira da Foz

Built in 1576, the general structure of the church, the side door, the pulpit, members’ tribune, tiles, altars and vestry date back to the XVI century. In addition to a very interesting sculpture “Dethroning in the Tomb” possibly dating to the end of the XVI century, there is also a stone altar by João de Ruão, a Coimbrã Renaissance sculptor, which comes from the now destroyed Santa Cruz de Redondos church. It was architecturally restored in the XVIII century and alterations to the side chapel were made in the XIX century.Building Classified as Public Interest since 1978.

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