Torres Novas (11/04/2015)

Today I decided to visit the small town of Torres Novas, so I took a train from Coimbra and arrived in Entroncamento. From here I had to walk nearly 9km or 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Torres Novas, passing through a nice countryside. I walked around for a bit and then visited a few churches, the only one I found open was the Igreja de Santiago while the main church Igreja da Misericordia had a wedding going on so I couln't see the inside. I then headed on to visit the main monument of the town; the Castle. Built on the highest point in the 12th century after the town's conquest from the Moors; it was part of the so called Linha do Tejo, or defensive line of the Tejo river. It now contains a small but pretty park in the inside and the walls can be walked on all around with nice views over the town and the surrounding countryside. After the visit I headed back down into town and reached the town's main square: Praça 5 de Outubro. From there I walked up another hill, and reached the Igreja do Salvador which was closed. Close by was the Museu Municipal Carlos Reis with paintings and objects from the medieval times to the 19th century; it was free and had some nice things. It was then time to go, so I walked some more around the town center and reached a well kept watermill and a medieval bridge next to it. From there I walked another 9km and reached Entroncamento where I finally took a train back to Coimbra.

The Castle of Torres Novas

View of the Praça 5 de Outubro

The Castle walls

The Igreja do Salvador and the museum on the right

Watermill