The River Lis embraces the city that develops up to the hill where the splendid Castle of Leiria is located, precisely at 113 meters of altitude. The river bank is a popular place to rest and walk on sunny days. From Jardim Luís de Camões, where the Tourist Office is located, and following the course of the River Lis, which determined the expansion of the city, is Avenida Heróis de Angola, which takes you to a modern commercial area. After passing by Cine Teatro José Lúcio da Silva, the most important concert hall in the city, you will see the …
It is the heart of the city, full of beautiful buildings, shops and several terraces that are located under the 16th century arcades. Here, occasional animations and outdoor activities take place.
This tour begins in the Luís de Camões Garden, where you can find a Tourism Office. Cross the 5 de Outubro Street and enter the Rodrigues Lobo Square. This is the centre of the city, the ideal place to relax under the cinquentist arcades animated by pleasant esplanades. In one of the corners, the statue of the poet Rodrigues Lobo (1579-1621) points out the right direction. Follow through the Miguel Bombarda Street and notice the Misericórdia Church, built on an ancient synagogue. Nearby is the Barão de Viamonte Street, former Direita Street, which marks the axle of this ancient quarter, …
When you enter in Leiria you can’t avoid noticing the castle that, from the top, seems to welcome those coming into the city. Conquered to the Moors in 1135, by D. Afonso Henriques, the castle passed, for many years, from hand to hand between Moors and Christians. In 1190, D. Sancho I ordered its reconstruction. Later in 1325 D. Dinis orders the construction of the Torre de Menagem that, nowadays, shelters a museological nucleus, where you will get to know the castle activity in past times. It was also by D. Dinis order that the Nossa Senhora da Pena Church …
One of the areas you must not loose to go shopping is right at the heart of town, where the old market of Santana rises, now recovered, and where good commerce, modern esplanades and cultural spaces are condensed.Also in Rodrigues Lobo Square and at the 5 de Outubro Plaza, which communicate between them, the visitor will find esplanades and small commerce, under the centenary arcades.
