Fotos

Oeiras borders with four distinct counties (Lisboa, Sintra, Cascais and Amadora). Fifteen minutes from the capital, it has an easy access. If you leave from Lisbon, you can drive through the scenic road by the river, or you can take the train from Cais do Sodré.
The name of this town probably refers to the fertility of its soils. Maybe, one day, someone must have said ‘Oh, eiras (threshing-floors)’. And so the name remained until today. It’s a very old town, where several peoples have lived throughout its history, attracted by its location and good climatic conditions. These were decisive factors in its development.
The place began to be noticed during the ruling of king José, who gave the administration of this territory to his minister, Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, who then became the first count of Oeiras. The village received its charter and became a county.
But Oeiras started its industrial activity during the Discoveries, with the construction of its gunpowder factory, in Barcarena, and the lime-kilns, in Paço d´Arcos, together with the iron casting factory, next to the railway station.
In the beginning of the 20th century, this was an elected place for tourists, when the upper classes adopted the habit of bathing in the ocean and Oeiras offered them beautiful beaches. In the 1960s it became a satellite city of Lisbon, sheltering a residence area for the work force in the capital. In the 1980’s, however, successful efforts have been started to transform Oeiras into a place of leisure and tourism.
You can start visiting Oeiras from the train station (if you drive, you should park nearby). There are two train stations (Oeiras itself and Santo Amaro) and you should start your visit from the latter, next to the beach. Let’s leave the ocean for later and begin entering town.
Crossing the road, you get to the Municipal Garden, a nice invitation to the interior of the village. At one point, a road crosses your way. Cross it and continue to walk through this leisure area, where you can appreciate nature and the extensive tile panels and fountains that illustrate the town’s past. On your right, you will see the City Hall; on your left, the Palace of Marquis de Pombal.
Coming out of the palace, you should go down the road a few meters and then turn left, towards the centre, to see the Parish Church. Continuing towards the ocean, you will find Santo Amaro’s chapel.
At the end of the visit, follow towards the sea, where the Tagus meets the Atlantic. There, you see the forts of São Julião da Barra and São João das Maias: Oeiras enjoys an excellent geographical location to ensure the defence of the Tagus entry and control the ships that come in and out. Consequently, since the 12th century, many fortifications have been built along its coast.