Cantanhede

The name Cantanhede has its origin in Cant, a Celtic word meaning great rock.This is perhaps the best proof of the thousands of years old history of the white limestone of Ançã, Portunhos, Outil, Andorinha and Vila Nova. But once the geological period passed the limestone was moulded by the hands of the artists and the stone of Ançã, as it is known, was introduced into churches and palaces, moulded portals and lying statues during the Renaissance and keeps challenging eternity. Round the year 1530, D. Jorge de Meneses had a chapel in Varziela that would become his grave. João de Ruão took it upon himself to eternalise, under the cape of Our Lady of Mercy, a symbolic world of that period in a panel considered to be one of the most important pieces of sculpture of the Renaissance.The Menezes, coming from a Spanish family, haven't challenged the centuries only with João de Ruão’s genius. D. António de Meneses had shown his bravery and patriotism in the victories of Linhas de Elvas. But it is the fourth Marquis of Marialva and sixth Count of Cantanhede, D Pedro Meneses, that has remained in the imagination of the Portuguese. To his work "Luz da Liberal e Nobre Arte da Cavalaria", the popular imagination added a certain manner of being a man, of being a Portuguese man: this was the start of the Marialvismo.The building of the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Conception in 1675, is also owed to one of the Meneses. The Meneses were also responsible for the building of the Palace of Cantanhede, which is the city hall today. These date from 1553 and this is a landmark in a town that still keeps the features of that ancient nobleness in many of its streets. A visit to Cantanhede would not be complete without a good visit to the main church. It was built in the 16th century and continues to be a noteworthy example of the Renaissance sculpture of Coimbra. João de Ruão has put the best of his soul into his sculptures, which we can find in some of its chapels.

The distance from Cantanhede to Olhos da Fervença,  is eleven kilometres across a scenery that is dominated by the vineyards. 

The soil and the sun will give a hand in producing the wines of the Bairrada Demarcated Region, one of Portugal's products of excellence.

 

 At the Praia da Tocha (beach) or at Palheirão, the long days are enjoyed at the beach or taking long walks by the sea.

But, if the sun dominates the days, it's the nights, especially the warm summer nights, that are dominated by the contagious joy of good food shared with many good friends.  A delicious grilled bass, or a fish stew, get mixed with the precious aroma of the Bairrada wines.