Usseira
The home of Saint Lucy and the source of the water that fed the aqueduct of Óbidos.
Photo: GoÓbidos
About Usseira
The patron saint of Usseira is Saint Lucy. The name may come from “urso” (bear), after the wildlife found here when it was named. The parish was created in 1989, when it separated from São Pedro.
Usseira supplied the water for the aqueduct of Óbidos, built by order of Queen Catarina, wife of King João III.
What to see
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
One of the parish churches and the starting point of the Aqueduct Route, next to the parish council.
Chapel of Santa Luzia
The pride of the village. The statue is said to have been brought from the Convent of São Miguel in Gaeiras.
Public fountain
One of the most interesting spots in the area, showing how water was, for centuries, a meeting place for the villagers.
Aqueduct Route (PR11)
A 6.2 km linear trail of about 2h through orchards, past the source and along the Usseira Aqueduct (16th–17th century), with views of Óbidos, the Atlantic and the Berlengas islands.
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 Usseira?
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Chapel of Santa Luzia, the public fountain and the Usseira Aqueduct, along the Aqueduct Route (PR11).
How is Usseira linked to the aqueduct of Óbidos?
The water for the aqueduct that supplied the village came from Usseira. It was built by order of Queen Catarina.
When was the parish of Usseira created?
In 1989, when it separated from the parish of São Pedro.
