The best MTB trails around Santiago Dos Velhos

Constantino Palha Municipal Park is one of the main tourist attractions in Vila Franca de Xira, located next to the train station and the Tagus River. It occupies an area of 400 meters in front of the river and is considered the most charismatic garden in the city. Highlights: - Bandstand: a 19th-century bandstand is one of the park's main attractions, where cultural events frequently take place. - Lakes: the lakes are a characteristic element of the garden, adding a touch of serenity to the environment. - Playground: a fun area for children, making it a popular destination for families. - Cafeteria: offers a cozy place to relax and enjoy the river view. - Paths: the winding paths allow visitors to take pleasant walks through the garden, enjoying nature and the view of the Tagus River.

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.

https://www.cm-vfxira.pt/saber-lazer/patrimonio/vila-franca-de-xira/poi/monumento-de-homenagem-ao-cais-da-jorna

Pleasant

Came in handy to wash the mud and fix a flat.

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.

Located next to the Constantino Palha Municipal Garden, a bronze sculpture was installed next to the pier, in the riverside area of Vila Franca de Xira, in honor of the jorna workers. The work of the sculptor João Duarte was inaugurated in July 2013. This sculpture saves the memory of the men and women who gathered on the pier looking for work (la jorna which means a day of work). The farmers or their foremen arrived by boat and hired a good part of the labor for the fields of Lezíria or for the factories of the municipality.