The natural advantages
of a sunny country with such diverse geographic features have
turned Portugal into a chosen destination for many
holidaymakers. This is an ideal place for practicing water
sports and playing golf, offering modern tourism facilities, and
quaint and personalized means of accommodation, such as ‘turismo
de habitação’ (privately owned homes ranging from wonderful
farmhouses to manor houses), ‘hotéis de charme’ or ‘pousadas’.
Setúbal is located near the Capital of Portugal, Lisbon. This
city belongs to the Tourist Region of the Costa Azul. The
territory of the Costa Azul is a palette of what best exists in
Portugal. The spectacular coast and the immense Atlantic, two
estuaries with their rivers, mountain and pasture, interior and
plains, beaches and sun which accompany and characterize all of
the Costa Azul.
Hans Christian Andersen, who visited the region in 1834,
described it as a "terrestrial paradise". The untouched Setúbal
city has evolved steadily since the 19th century until it became
the 3rd largest port in the country and a major industrial
centre in mid 20th century, particularly in the 1960’s and
1970’s. From shipbuilding to fish canning, production of
fertilizers, cement, seafood and oysters culture, salt, and a
variety of wines including a superb Muscatel (made from a type
of grape, with the same name, typical from this region) to
fishing and tourism, Setúbal has a lot to offer. Only at about
40 km south of the capital (Lisbon), Setúbal is situated in a
beautiful estuary (the river Sado estuary), today a Natural
Reserve, between Tróia Bay (ancient Roman settlement) and
Arrábida Natural Park. This estuary is considered a dolphin
sanctuary. A great awareness and an effort are being put in
order to create a sustainable development that fully respects
it.
A local legend states that Setúbal was founded by Tubal, son of
Cain. Although such remote and biblical origins are not
credible, archaeology shows
plenty evidence from prehistoric times, along with many traces
of Phoenician and Greek passage. A lot more remains from Roman
times when Setúbal was the famous town of Cetóbriga (situated
across the river in Troia’s Peninsula) and an important fishing
port. The potential of its natural harbour determined certainly,
how and why this region was continuously chosen for human
settlement throughout the times from Mesolithic era up to the
present day. Many of these archaeological sites can nowadays be
visited and are frequently undergoing excavations. Church of
Jesus (667.45 kB) The city most important monument is the old
Monastic Church of Jesus (Igreja de Jesus) dating back to 1491.
Built in Manueline style (estilo Manuelino - style from the
discoveries era, when the King D. Manuel I was the lord of the
spices route), according to the plans of one of the king’s best
architects, Diogo Boytac. It mixes late gothic structures,
renaissance principles, and an exotic decoration of twisted
columns, ropes and other navigation and/or festive symbols.
Later during the 18th century an internal decoration of tiles
was added. Attached to the church/convent is Town Museum (Museu
da Cidade) where we can find many treasures from old times, like
religious paintings, goldsmith’s crafts, etc.
Another church roughly from the same period (1513) and style is
São Julião church with a beautiful Manueline doorway. The inside
walls are also decorated with large tile panels from the 18th
century portraying scenes from São Julião’s life.
It is worthwhile
to
visit the Ethnographic Museum (Museu Etnográfico) dedicated to
the region’s main economic activities.
Anthropologically is interesting to visit the lively
Lota, which is the Fish Auction that takes place every morning
by the quay side. This fresh fish and seafood is then redirected
to the country’s best restaurants, hotels, and markets,
including many in Setúbal where you can taste them daily.
LInks
Photos
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