Gaeiras
The parish of the Convent of São Miguel and the Roman city of Eburobrittium, between Óbidos and Caldas da Rainha.
Photo: GoÓbidos
About Gaeiras
Gaeiras is home to the Roman city of Eburobrittium, proof of the Romans’ presence in the region. In this parish of Óbidos, on the border with Caldas da Rainha, the Convent of São Miguel is a must-see.
The parish has about 2,500 inhabitants over 10.2 km².
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The convent’s story begins in 1569 by the Óbidos Lagoon, at Arelho, where Cardinal Henrique, with the permission of Pope Pius V, founded the Convent of São Miguel de Trás do Outeiro. The site became unhealthy and in 1602 the convent was refounded in Gaeiras by Dinis de Lencastre, governor of Óbidos, and his wife, Isabel Henriques. Their son, Afonso de Lencastre, continued the work.
In 1740, with the church still unfinished, King João V stopped at the convent on his way to Óbidos and gave eight hundred thousand réis to complete it. The same king took several cures in the thermal waters of Caldas da Rainha.
What to see
Convent of São Miguel
Refounded in Gaeiras in 1602 by the Lencastre family, governors of Óbidos, and completed with help from King João V. It is the starting point of the Arnóia Greenway.
Roman city of Eburobrittium
Discovered during the construction of the A8 motorway, it lies on private land and is not open to the public. Guided visits are sometimes organised.
Arnóia Greenway (PR3)
A 9 km linear trail of about 2h30 that starts at the Convent of São Miguel and follows the Arnóia dam, the ruins of Eburobrittium, the village of Óbidos and the Várzeas da Rainha.
Useful information
Getting there
Óbidos is about 45 minutes from Lisbon on the A8 motorway. A car is the easiest way to explore the villages of the municipality.
Parking
Parking is usually easy in the villages. In Óbidos itself, use the car parks outside the walls and walk in.
Where to eat
There are traditional restaurants across the parishes and many more in the village of Óbidos, a few minutes away.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Gaeiras?
The Convent of São Miguel and the Arnóia Greenway (PR3). The Roman city of Eburobrittium is in the parish, but on private land.
Can I visit the Roman city of Eburobrittium?
Not freely: it is on private land and closed to the public. Guided visits are sometimes organised.
When was the Convent of São Miguel founded?
It was founded in 1569 by the Óbidos Lagoon and refounded in Gaeiras in 1602.
