Located in the historic walled town of Óbidos, this square is full of history and culture.
The square was built during the 16th century by King João III, who wanted to create an impressive public space that would be a symbol of his reign. It has since been used as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, with its cobblestone streets lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops. The centrepiece of the square is Saint Mary’s Church, which dates back to 1534 and features stunning Baroque architecture.
The church itself has many interesting features, including an 18th century organ and beautiful stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible. There are also two large bell towers that were added later on during renovations in 1758. Inside the church you can find several statues dedicated to saints such as St Peter, St Paul and Our Lady of Fatima among others.
Outside Saint Mary’s Church there are plenty more attractions to explore around the square, such as monuments commemorating important historical figures like King João III himself or other heroes from Portuguese history like Vasco da Gama or Afonso de Albuquerque who led successful expeditions across Africa and Asia centuries ago. You can also find some interesting sculptures scattered throughout the area, along with fountains adorned with ornate carvings inspired by traditional Portuguese designs dating back hundreds of years ago.
No visit to Óbidos would be complete without stopping at Saint Mary’s Square – it truly captures all that makes Portugal so special: its rich history combined with modern day charm.
