Óbidos>Parishes>Santa Maria, São Pedro and Sobral da Lagoa
Santa Maria, São Pedro and Sobral da Lagoa
The parish of the medieval village: the churches of Santa Maria and São Pedro, the Porta da Vila and the ginja of Sobral da Lagoa.
Photo: GoÓbidos
About Santa Maria, São Pedro and Sobral da Lagoa
Santa Maria is the oldest parish in Óbidos. It includes Arelho, Bairro da Senhora da Luz, Carregal and Trás do Outeiro, and part of A-da-Gorda and Pinhal, over 22.13 km² with about 2,000 inhabitants.
São Pedro lies right next to Santa Maria, and Sobral da Lagoa is known for its favourite fruit: the ginja, or sour cherry. Together, the three make up the parish of the medieval village.
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Santa Maria has the Church of Santa Maria, with works by Josefa de Óbidos, and the Church of the Misericórdia, founded by Queen Leonor. São Pedro has the church where Josefa de Óbidos is buried, the Chapel of São Martinho and the Porta da Vila.
Tourism and farming drive the parish. Sobral da Lagoa produces much of the liqueur Óbidos is famous for: ginjinha.
What to see
Church of Santa Maria
Founded in the time of King Afonso Henriques and entirely rebuilt in the 16th century under King João III and Queen Catarina. It holds paintings by Josefa de Óbidos.
Church of São Pedro
Built in the 13th and 14th centuries as a three-nave Gothic church. After the 1755 earthquake, the gilded high altar, the bell tower and the arches of the façade survive. Josefa de Óbidos is buried here.
Church of the Misericórdia
Founded by Queen Leonor at the end of the 15th century, its walls are lined with 17th-century tiles, and it holds the tomb of the Countess of Cavaleiros, Luiza Guerra.
Porta da Vila
The main gate has an elbow-shaped defensive layout and 17th and 18th-century tiles showing scenes of the Passion of Christ. On the Baroque balcony is the oratory of Our Lady of Piety, patron saint of Óbidos.
Ginja Orchards Route (PR15)
A 5 km linear trail in Sobral da Lagoa, about 1h45, past old windmills, ginja orchards and views over the Óbidos Lagoon, ending at the oldest ginja producer in the area.
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
Traffic inside the walls is restricted. Use the car parks outside the walls, by the Porta da Vila and the aqueduct.
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 this parish?
The churches of Santa Maria, São Pedro and the Misericórdia, the Porta da Vila, the Chapel of São Martinho and, in Sobral da Lagoa, the Ginja Orchards Route (PR15). See also Óbidos Castle.
Where is Josefa de Óbidos buried?
In the Church of São Pedro, inside the village walls.
What is the ginja of Sobral da Lagoa?
The sour cherry used to make ginjinha, the liqueur of Óbidos. Much of it comes from Sobral da Lagoa.
