Residential Dona Leonor - Places os Interest

CALDAS DA RAINHA

Caldas da Rainha

Ramalho Ortigão wrote that "Caldas da Rainha is one of the most historial centres, one of the most picturesque regions in the whole country".

This city was founded by the Queen D. Leonor in 1495 and was born around its SPA Hospital, which one and after five centuries of history still recieves, annually, thousands of patients who look for traitment and relax in steaming waters.

Caldas da Rainha has in its litoral the splendid beaches of Salir do Porto and Foz do Arelho, this one with the most wonderfull natural seltting between Óbidos Lagoon and the sea, became, the ideal place for sports and fich.

The surrouding contryside, with landscape full of history and forests, where a prosperuos agriculture in fruit and vegetables daily supplies the traditional Fruit Market.

CALDAS DA RAINHA - CITY OF ARTS

Personalities such as Maria dos Cacos, Manuel Cipriano Gomes (known as 'o Mafra'), Francisco Elias, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, have given Caldas pottery the features which have made it famous, features that it has only been possible to preserve thanks to a set of artists such as those who work in the factories of this town. These people have succeeded in upholding and increasing the prestige of their craft.

Ceramics of Caldas da Rainha

Sculpture of Caldas da Rainha

Other arts, like painting and sculpture are confirming Caldas da Rainha as a center of plastic arts, outstanding Mestre José Malhoa in painting and Mestres António Duarte e João Fragoso in sculpture, all of them born in Caldas da Rainha. Visit the Museums with their names and works, is to travell all over living cultural spaces.

PLACES OF INTEREST

PARK (Dom. Carlos I) - One of Portugal's most delightful parks, with trees that are hundreds of year old, a chaming lake with boats, tennis court, children's playground, public library and museum. JOSÉ MALHOA MUSEUM - Paintining, sculpture and ceramic, together the best works of José Malhoa and Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro.
	ANTÓNIO DUARTE ATELIER MUSEUM - Works of António Duarte sculptormaster show. JOÃO FRAGOSO ATELIER MUSEUM - Works of João Fragoso sculptormaster show. MUSEUM OF CERAMICS - Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro's ceramics collections and works.
RAINHA D. LEONOR SPA HOSPITAL- This hospital is a kink of foundation stone for the birth of Caldas de Rainha. History relates that Queen Leonor was cured by the steaming waters that came out of the ground in this locality. CHURCH OF Nª SENHORA DO PÓDULO - Built by Queen Leonor, this building is classified as a national monument, and is a exemple of de Manueline epoch.
	FRUIT MARKET - Well worth a visit for de colours and abundance of the local fruit and vegetables. RAINHA DONA LEONOR WOOD - This wood borders the park, and its trees give shade to the sports grounds and picnic places. BEACHES - Foz do Arelho and Salir do Porto. FISHING POINTS AND VIEWS - Along the Atlantic Road.