The best road cycling routes around Penela (Santa Eufémia)

The Torre do Relógio (Clock Tower) of Figueira da Foz is a striking, 23-meter-high landmark in a modernist style on the seafront promenade (Avenida Marginal). It shapes the image of the city beach, which is also known as Praia do Relógio because of it.

Penela Castle stands atop the rocky outcrop that gave it its name (peñela, "small stone hill"), dominating the town with imposing walls and towers dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Founded in the 11th century by D. Sesnando Davides, it formed part of the Mondego defensive line, and its walls still reach 19 meters in height today. From the original fortress arose the castle that later served as a keep. On the walls, facing the Serra da Lousã mountain range, stand out arrow slits and loopholes, marks of its long military life, from arrows to firearms. Penela preserves three historical entrances: the Porta da Vila (Town Gate), the evocative Porta da Traição (Gate of Treason), with its double opening and Moorish inspiration, and the Porta do Relógio (Clock Gate), a reminder of the old breach where two towers collapsed in the 1755 earthquake. In short, a castle small in form, but enormous in history.

Although there are references to its existence as early as the High Middle Ages, what remains today dates from the late 14th century. Within the walls are remains of the old Medieval Palace, where the death of Dona Inês de Castro was reportedly decided, as well as the Church of Santa Maria da Alcáçova, founded in 1095 but restored in the 16th century. During the Arab occupation, materials imported from Córdoba arrived at Montemayur Castle, including capitals dating back to the Caliphate period, one of which is now part of the collection of the Machado de Castro National Museum in Coimbra. Later, the castle would play a recognized strategic role during the Christian reconquest of the territory. (Source: www.turismodocentro.pt)

Penela Castle is a medieval fortress with an irregular plan and winding outline, stretching from north to south taking advantage of the natural cliff, so that the walls vary in height between 7 and 19 metres. It was part of the Mondego defensive line during the Christian Reconquista.

I visited in mid-June 2025 and was surprised at how much water was still running. How nice that we had a rainy winter.

Ansião is known for its tranquility, local traditions and some points of historical and cultural interest, including churches and natural landscapes that invite you to walk and discover.

Beautiful and relaxed route

The High Cross is a monument erected on 29 August 2007 at the Sanctuary of Fátima, designed by the artist Robert Schad and measuring 34 metres in height. It was built to replace the old High Cross, which was 27 metres high and erected to mark the end of the Holy Year of 1950/1951, and which was located at the back of the prayer area, where the Basilica of the Holy Trinity is now located. It was donated to the National Sanctuary of Christ the King, in Almada.[1] It was built by the Portuguese company 'Mecanidraulica (Maia) and transported in 4 parts to Fátima. The oxidation of the corten steel, the material in which it was built, gives it an appearance that changes colour, becoming redder in dry weather and darker in the rain. A living Cross, with its own personality, just like Fátima