Óbidos (; ) is a town and a municipality in the Oeste region, historical province of Estremadura and the Leiria district. The town proper has approximately 3,100 inhabitants. The municipality population in 2011 was 11,772 covering an area of .

History

thumb|The castle and wall of Óbidos, view from the west.

thumb|Azulejo in an Óbidos city gate

thumb|Top view of Santa Maria

The name "Óbidos" is a Latinised (oppidum, citadel) derivation of the older Celtic "Eburobricio". The municipality grew from a Roman settlement near the foothills of an elevated escarpment. The region of Óbidos, extending from the Atlantic to the interior of Estremadura Province along the rivers and lakes has been inhabited since the late Paleolithic. A settlement, constructed by early Celt tribes, was later a centre of trade for the Phoenicians.

  • A dos Negros
  • Amoreira
  • Gaeiras
  • Olho Marinho
  • Santa Maria, São Pedro e Sobral da Lagoa
  • Usseira
  • Vau

Tourism

The area of the town of Óbidos is located on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall. Óbidos remains a well-preserved example of medieval architecture; its streets, squares, walls and its castle are popular tourist destinations. The castle now houses a pousada. The municipality is also home to the famous Praia d'El Rey golf complex, one of the top golf resorts in Europe.

Each July Óbidos castle hosts a traditional 'Medieval Market'. For two weeks the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe.

Literature

Óbidos is also famous for its bookstores. There are 14 bookstores, one of which is in a church, another one, the Livraria do Mercado Biológico, sells fish as well as books.

In 2013, the town administration of Óbidos developed a municipal literature programme which included the creation of an international literary festival. Since its first edition in 2015, the Fólio (Festival Literário Internacional de Óbidos) takes places every year in October.

In 2015, the UNESCO recognized Óbidos as the City of Literature.

Tourism

Óbidos attracts a large number of visitors during the summer season, particularly during the renowned Óbidos Medieval Fair, which takes place each year in July, and during the International Chocolate Festival, held in early March.

Notable people

  • Baltazar Gomes Figueira (1604–1674), a painter
  • Josefa de Óbidos (1630–1684), a painter
  • Miguel da Natividade (1630–1690), a composer
  • Armando da Silva Carvalho (1938–2017), a writer
  • Carlos Zorrinho (born 1959) a politician, university professor and Member of the European Parliament

See also

  • Óbidos IPR

References

  • Óbidos Turismo, Município de Óbidos - Official Óbidos Tourism website