With many delightful courses, pure coastal breeze from the Atlantic ocean, great fresh gastronomy and fantastic weather conditions, Caldas da Rainha is a Golf Bliss for most golfers.
Portugal Golf - Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha History
This town was founded by Dona Leonor, Queen of Portugal in 1485 and has passed
through history with little involvement in the many struggles for power between
the various warring armies. It is more a centre of thermal cures, a bountiful
fruit farming area and a productive ceramic industry. Dona Leonor chose this
location to be the seat for her personal creation, the charitable Fundação da
Misericórdia that is still very active in Portugal today. The original purpose
of the Foundation was to build and manage hospitals and homes for the old and
needy. Today, the Foundation has spread its wings in obtaining funds and they
run all forms of Lotteries in Portugal!
Caldas da Rainha Description
In this town the original Chapel of the first Misericórdia hospital was used as
a base for the 15th Century present Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, designed
and built by Diogo Boitac, the same architect who created the imposing Mosteiro
dos Jeróminos in Belém in Lisbon. This Church is reputed to be the largest ever
built within Portugal. Other than this church the there are two more places of
main interest. The first is the Museu de José Malhoa that is named after an
accomplished artist of the late 19th and early 20th Century. This museum also
houses the works of his contemporaries, particularly that of the equally famous
ceramist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. The second place is the Museu da Cerâmica
housed in the old home of the Visconde de Sacavém that has a large collection of
hand painted objects including tiles from the last two centuries. Also in this
town is a national museum devoted to the sport of Cycling.
Caldas da Rainha Nearby Locations
Directly to the south of Caldas da Rainha is the outstanding attraction of the
walled town of Óbidos that is a must for every tourist to Portugal. To its west
lies the small fishing town of Peniche that besides its excellent fish
restaurants is also know for the Fortaleza, an uncomfortable 16th Century fort
that was used as a prison for political prisoners during the dictatorship of
Salazar. These are rocky virtually uninhabited Islands that are basically
reserved for bird life. Slightly inland is the town of Alcobaça with its
impressive abbey.
Caldas da Rainha Locations of Interest
Teatro Praça de Touros
Museum of Bicycles
Museum of Ceramics
Museum of Factory of Bordalo Pinheiro
Museum of the Hospital of Caldas da Rainha
Museum João Fragoso
Museum São Rafael
Museum José Malhoa
Museum and Studio of António Duarte
Church - Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Pópulo
Walled Town - (Óbidos)
Nature Park of Serra de Aire e Candeeiro www.grutasalvados.com www.grutasmiradaire.com www.grutassantoantonio.com
Thermal Spa & Hospital
Caldas da Rainha Beaches
Praia da Foz do Arelho
Praia de Salir do Porto