SEE & DO
Close to geological and historical heritages, Retiro do Bosque Country House is a good starting point for hiking and biking in the natural park, visit Mira d’Aire caves, have an historical adventure in UNESCO World Heritage places, a faith boost in Fátima or a search for the balance between the countryside and the sea with beaches within 50 km.
AT MINDE
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The polje is a place for hiking and cycling during most of the year.
Unique in Portugal and classified as a RAMSAR site, the polje is caused by a geological phenomenon which occurs on limestone areas: during rainy winters, the underground rivers flood, forming a lake at the surface, good for water sports such as canoeing. During its emptying, it gives place to ponds.
Polje de Minde e Mira d'Aire
The town
With almost 900 years of history, Minde was founded during D.Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal) times. The textile sector marks the town since the 16th century: the famous blankets; the “calão minderico", a dialect created by the blankets’ sellers; the industry that is still present nowadays. Know the history of this quiet town on the Coreto tiles, enjoy the baroque details of the Igreja Matriz and get lost in Casa Açores gardens, where the museum of the town’s painter Roque Gameiro is located.
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Places to visit: Museu de Aguarela Roque Gameiro, Coreto, Alto Pina (a typical neighbourhood), Igreja Matriz (main church), Santo António and São Sebastião chapels, Weaving workshop, traditional market (saturday mornings).
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Festivities: Minde Jazz Festival (May/June), Festival Materiais Diversos (September), Festivities in Honor of Saint Anthony and Saint Sebastian (January), Holy Spirit (May) and of the Patron Saint (August).
NEARBY
Nature
The Serra de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park is a place of caves, springs, geosites and even dinosaur traceways. Also, there are other natural places to explore such as the Paúl do Boquilobo Natural Reserve and beaches with some of the world’s biggest waves.
Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park: Caves of Mira d'Aire, Santo António and Alvados; Natural Monument of Serra d’Aire Dinosaur Traceways; Serra de Santo António viewpoint; Olhos d’Água spring (Alviela river); Alviela Ciência Viva Center - Carsoscópio ; Fórnea de Alcaria; Pia do Urso; Salinas of Rio Maior.
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Paúl do Boquilobo Natural Reserve
Beaches: Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto, São Pedro de Moel
Culture
With the presence of Templars for several centuries and stage of one of the most important battles of the Portuguese History, this region has several monuments classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Nearby, you can also visit the Shrine of Fátima, one of the most important landmarks in the Marian worship.
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Historical places: Batalha Monastery; Alcobaça Monastery; Convent of Christ in Tomar; Castles of Porto de Mós, Torres Novas and Almourol; Interpretation Centre of the Battle of Aljubarrota.
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Religious places: Shrine of Fátima
Activities and sports
Here you can live the calm of nature while hiking and horseback riding or opt for more extreme sports such as mountain biking and climbing.
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Activites: Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, donkey riding, birdwatching, climbing, abseiling, speleology, canoeing (in periods on which the polje is a lake).
