The best walks and hikes around Matacães

The castle of Torres Vedras is an important part of Portuguese history. It was a strategic point in the fight against the Moors and later against Napoleon. The castle was conquered in 1147 by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.

Today I was lucky and was able to visit the ruins as well.

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.

Castelo de Torres Vedras is an imposing medieval fortress, with a history that dates back to Roman times and a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars (as part of the Lines of Torres Vedras). The castle represents an important historical heritage. If you want to stop here for a break you can explore its ancient walls and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

The castle is not that great

Castle complex was closed, I would have liked to have seen it

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)

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.