Setubal is located 40km south of Lisbon and is one of Portugal’s oldest
cities, renowned for producing the most delicious muscatel wine in the world.
The city is also the centre of the sardine industry since the 1st century. The
white mounds of sea salt drying in the sun are a familiar part of the local
landscape. There are some outstanding beaches near the city and some pretty
countryside dotted with orange groves, orchards and vineyards.
The town of Setibal is attractive with its pedestrian streets, gardens and
interesting shops. The 16th Century Cathedral Santa Maria da Graca
has glorious tiles from the 18th century. The Igreja de Jesus is a
remarkable Gothic church with interior columns carved in Arrabida pink stone
from the nearby quarry. The architect Diogo Boitac designed this wonderful early
example of Manueline style, in 1494. The Museu de Setibal is to be found in the
Mosterio de Jesus and has many religious items and paintings. Part of the
collection is dedicated to the famed Portuguese romantic poet of the18th
century, Bocage. The Museum of Arqueologia e Etnografia has a varied,
interesting collection of items found in the immediate region, from Bronze Age
pots to the processing of cork. The 16th century Castelo de Sao
Filipe was constructed to defend the port from passing marauders. It has now
been turned into an attractive luxury Pousada. Many of the older buildings of
Setubal, one of which was a royal residence in the 15th century, were destroyed
by a catastrophic earthquake in 1755.
Opposite to the Troia peninsula has 11 miles of beaches and golf courses with
a history dating back to the Romans and across the Rio Sado, on the lagoon side
of the Peninsula de Troia, is the semi-submerged ruins of the Roman town of
Cetobriga that once had a prosperous fish-salting industry.