Torres Vedras Distinguishes Itself by the Fascinating Hill and Green Valleys, Mills, the Fields of Vines, and by the Golden Sand Beaches Bathed by the Blue Ocean

GLOBAL GREEN DESTINATION EVENT: TRIP TO TORRES VERDAS

About 30 minutes far from Lisbon, the landscape of Torres Vedras distinguishes itself by the fascinating hill and green valleys, mills, the fields of vines, and by the golden sand beaches bathed by the blue ocean. Was this important territory that lent its name to the "Lines of Torres Vedras", an important landmark in architecture and military engineering of European history, determining the beginning of Napoleon`s defeat in 1910. Of unique natural characteristics, the municipality of Torres vedras, invested for many years in the different areas of action in a sustainable way for a development of the territory, rational and balanced, that produces positive impact on the economy, environment, culture, identity and society of the territory. In practise, several measures have been taken to make the municipality a sustainable territory friendly to the environment, but that accompanies the economic and cultural development, that today is ambitioned according to the expectation of the inhabitants and investors. To attest to the performance and investment of the municipality of Torres Vedras, today brings together a set of distinctions that confirm and reward the work invested. The Western Region, where integrates Torres Vedras, it has been awarded the highest category of Quality Coast – Platinum level, for having obtained excellent in the respective levels : nature, environment,, local identity and cultural heritage, hospitality and security, tourism and business. For the attribution of this award, weighed actions developed by the municipality, such as the “Natura” network; the delimitation of a marine protection area; the municipal strategy for climate change; the development of the " Ecomar " project; the implementation of Agenda 21; the implementation of the program " Torres ao Centro ", that was awarded in the Green Project awards; the attribution to the municipality of the Award Green Leaf by the European Commission and the adhesion of the municipality to the Pact of Mayors which aims at reducing the emission of carbon dioxide. The local protected landscape area of the mountains of Socorro and Archeira, very near from the city, where nature, heritage and identity merge, integrates the Top of global sustainable destinations, a distinction made by four sustainable tourism organizations:TravelMole.com; Vision on Sustainable Tourism; Totem Tourism and Green Destinations - Sustainable Destinations Global Top.

And, because the tourism is an area whose performance is transversal to the economy, culture, patrimony, sport, mobility and identity of the territories, Torres Vedras invested in the elaboration of the strategic plan for sustainable tourism, an instrument of planning capable of defining macro-level guidelines able to establish a municipal policy of sustainable governance.

TORRES VEDRAS – PLACES TO VISIT

CHAFARIZ DOS CANOS / THE TOWN FOUNTAIN (National Monument) - Built in the 14th century, the 16th century features of this Gothic fountain date from extensive restoration work in 1561. It was agin restored in 1831. This is considered to be the most iconic of the monuments in the city.

ST. PETER’S CHURCH (National Monument) - Rebulit in the 16th century, the town church has a Manueline pórtico and a richly diverse collection of hand painted tiles os various ages: gree and white (15th century); 17th century Diamond- point tiles and 18th century tile panels.

CASTLE (Building of Public Interest) - In existence before the Christian re-conquest, the castle was equipped with cannon at the time of the 3rd Invasion and was used as a barracks by Bonfim’s troops in 1846. The Welcome Centre receives visitors and provides them with interesting information about the Castle. There is a shop and na exhibition – divided into four sections – which explains and supllies information about the buildings, as well as displaying objects from it various historical incarnations. These will help members of the public make the most of their visit as they explore the site and interpret what they see.

INTERPRETATION CENTER OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY - Located near the castle, this center promotes the presence of the Jewish community in Torres Vedras. Its mission is to rediscover and promote the material and immaterial legacy of the Jewish presence in Portugal.

AZENHA DE SANTA CRUZ (THE WATER MILL) - Built at the end of the 15th century, the watermill at Santa Cruz recently reopened its doors as a Visitor’s Centre telling the story of the building, cereal milling and bread making. This space evokes and glorifies three notable poets who passed through Santa Cruz at different times. SANTA CRUZ: A POET’S WALK – It was in this small fishing village that notable authors surrendered themselves to the charms of the beach, let themselves be infected by the sounds of the sea and then composed wonderful poetic texts to describe them, recording this local history forever and for everyone. Get to know Santa Cruz, and immerse yourself in contagious Nature with the nuanced, muted colours which have inspired various illustrious poets to translate their inspiration and thought into poetry and prose.