Torres Vedras
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Torres Vedras is a municipality in Portugal's Oeste. Torres Vedras is a strong agricultural region linked with its vineyards and intense commercial and industrial life.
Understand
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In 2011, Torres Vedras (TOH-RR(ih)ZH VEH-druhsh, /ˈto.ʁɨʒ ˈve.dɾɐʃ/) had a population of about 80,000 people. About a quarter of the population lives in the urban area.
In 1809, the British general Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington and Marquess of Torres Vedras) began the construction of the "Lines of Torres Vedras". This fortified system, which included 152 forts and 628 redoubts, included the Fort of São Vicente, in Torres Vedras. The fort only saw battle after the French were removed from Portugal, during revolutionary warfare in 1846. Over 10,000 troops were involved in the bloody Battle of Torres Vedra on 23 December 1846. The deaths of 400 men and 500 wounded.
Visitor information
[edit]- 1 Torres Vedras Turismo, Largo Padre Jacinto Pio Sobreiro 1-3, ☏ +351 261 320 753, turismo@cm-tvedras.pt.
Get in
[edit]Torres Vedras is about 40 km (25 mi) north of the capital, Lisbon, in the Oeste region.
By train
[edit]- 1 Comboios de Portugal (
CP), Rua Dr. Gomes Leal at Avenida 5 de Outubro, ☏ +351 707 210 220. PDF timetable. CP's Linha do Oeste (western line) provides access from Lisbon, Caldas da Rainha, Leiria, Coimbra, and points in between.
By bus
[edit]- 2 Barraqueiro Oeste (Barraqueiro Transportes), ☏ +351 261 910 380. Timetables. Barraqueiro Oeste provides regional bus connections, including from Lisbon.
- Long-distance bus service is provided by Rede Expressos[dead link].
By car
[edit]Torres Vedras is served by the A8 motorway (Autoestrada do Oeste) from Lisbon, Caldas da Rainha, and Leiria.
Get around
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See
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- 1 Castelo de Torres Vedras (Torres Vedras Castle). Sep–May: Tu–Su 10:00–18:00; Jun–Aug: Tu–Su 10:00–19:00; closed M, 1 Jan, Su & Tu of Carnaval, Easter Su, 1 May, Dec 24 & 25.
- 2 Linhas de Torres Vedras (Lines of Torres Vedras). Defensive fortifications built during the third Napoleonic invasion (1810).
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- 3 Leonel Trindade Municipal Museum, Praça 25 de Abril, ☏ +351 261 310 485. Tu-Su 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00. An archaeological and historical museum in a former convent (Convento da Graça) on the southern edge of the city centre. In addition to an extensive archaeological section dating back to late Palaeolithic times, the museum contains works of art from local churches and an exhibition relating to the Lines of Torres Vedras. Much of the archaeological collection comes from the Chalcolithic, fortified settlement known as the Castro of Zambujal (3rd millennium BC) and from the Tholos do Barro, a Chalcolithic tomb, both of which are in the municipality. Adult €2, senior or student €1.
Do
[edit]- Football: SCU Torreense play soccer in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier. Their home ground Estádio Manuel Marques (capacity 12,000) is 500 m east of town centre.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Arena Shopping, Rua António Alves Ferreira 2, ☏ +351 261 337 094, arena.shopping@mundicenter.pt. 10:00–23:00 daily. Extensive mall with numerous shops, eateries, and a cinema.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Restaurante O Barracão, Largo Fernando Vicente 6, ☏ +351 261 324 908, obarracao@sapo.pt. M Tu Th–Sa 12:00–14:30 & 18:30–22:00, Su 18:30–22:00, W closed. Portuguese meat and fish dishes.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Dolce CampoReal Lisboa (by Wyndham), Rua do Campo, Turcifal, ☏ +351 261 960 900. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Five-star, 151-room hotel with golf course, equestrian centre, 24-hour gym, indoor and outdoor pools, spa, several on-site dining options, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. €86-243.
- 2 Stay Hotel Torres Vedras Centro, Praça 25 de Abril 17, ☏ +351 261 314 232, torresvedras@stayhotels.pt. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Centrally-located four-star, 47-room hotel. €45-81.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Caldas da Rainha – Charming, unassuming city to experience authentic daily Portuguese life.