The best cycling routes around Cadaval

Using only the natural power of the wind as the driving force, the heavy millstones are moved, and for example, grain kernels are ground into flour (grain mills) or olives are pressed into oil (oil mills). Miguel de Cervantes (1547 to 1616) also created a literary monument to the ancient tradition of windmills: the most famous character of the author, considered Spain's national poet, whose work can certainly be appreciated as world literature: "Don Quixote," also known as the "Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance." He is always accompanied by his loyal squire Sancho Panza, and in one of the highly imaginatively narrated episodes, he engages in a – naturally hopeless – battle against windmills, in which he believes he recognizes four-armed giants.

Turn boldly here and cross the sign area.

The Óbidos Lagoon is the largest coastal lagoon system on the Portuguese coast. It has a total area of approximately 6.9 km2 and an average depth of two metres, with elevations ranging from half a metre to five metres. It extends upstream essentially through two channels, to the west by the Braço do Bom Sucesso, and to the east by the Braço da Barrosa. It shares a land border with the municipality of Caldas da Rainha to the north (parishes of Foz do Arelho and Nadadouro) and with the municipality of Óbidos to the south (parishes of Vau and Santa Maria). To the south is the Poça do Vau and to the west it is connected to the Poça das Ferrarias. It has a maximum length of 6 km and a width that varies between 1 and 1.5 km, with a preferential NW-SW orientation.

It is best to visit in the winter months, when you have air in the narrow streets

At this location at the top of the Serra de Montejunto, also known as "Torre" due to the various antennas that were installed there, is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, which may have been built in the 13th century and remodelled and expanded during the 16th century and later. Inside, the altars covered with 17th century tiles and the altarpiece of the main altar, from the 18th century, stand out. Next to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, are the ruins of what is considered to be the first Dominican Convent in Portugal, built in the 12th century and abandoned after the extinction of the religious orders, and is currently in ruins. Also nearby are the ruins of the Royal Ice Factory, classified as a National Monument. Here, in the 18th century, the Dominican monks took advantage of the climatic and geological conditions and opened large tanks connected by narrow passages, one part for the production of ice and the other for its preparation, storage and conservation. The ice was later transported to Lisbon, to supply the court and the café at Terreiro do Paço, later known as Martinho da Arcada (Fernando Pessoa's Café)

Agricultural farm located in the town of Abrigada, which was once known as Amieiro because of the trees until the 16th century. The new name Abrigada seems to derive from "A Brigada" due to the presence of brigantes in this area, near the road that runs from Alenquer to Leiria at the end of the 16th century, during the period of the Portuguese wars of succession after the death of Cardinal-King Henry I of Portugal, or because it is an area sheltered from the natural elements of the geographical and climatic zone in which it is located. Source of historical information: Wikipedia

A must visit! Unfortunately a bit crowded. OK in April.

The "Moinho de Avis" is not only a beautiful sight, the miller, Senhor Miguel Nobre, is using the mill for what it was built for: milling flour! Miguel Nobre was originally a cabinet maker, then specialized in restoring windmills all over Portugal. When he came into possession of the Moinho de Avis (and the one next to it) he was determined to bring it back to life and use it. The milling stones never came in contact with pesticides as the mill had fallen into disrepair before these chemicals were used. He was determined to keep it like this. He is growing and milling mainly ancient Portuguese grains (Preto-Amarello, Barbela and Aveia Selvagem). Following a recipe from his Grandfather he is mixing these grains for his "Mistura de Avó" (Grandfather Mixture). When I visited the last time (May 2024) he was super happy because his "Mistura de Avó" had just been declared national heritage by the United Nations. The mill is usually open for visitors on the weekends.