Urban nucleus district headquarters. City located on a hillside and valley. Medieval city, structured in the 13th and 14th centuries, having consolidated itself in the 15th and 16th centuries. The historic center acquired its current limits only at the end of the 19th century and during the 20th century. Like most Portuguese cities, the defensive function is at the origin of the city and the place of settlement chosen is close to a river course. D. Afonso Henriques decided to build the Castle of Leiria to mark a strategic defensive position at the time of the reconquest.

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Museum, Convent of Santo Agostinho, cloister

Religious complex, classified as a monument of public interest, with Mannerist and Baroque features. Between 1577 and 1579, shortly after the elevation of Leiria to the city and the diocese (1545), the construction of the Church and Convent of Ere...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Rossio, Old Jewish quarter, aerial

We are on the area of the old Jewish quarter. The Jewish commune revolved around the synagogue, located on the site of the current Igreja da Misericórdia, a Christian temple with Mannerist and Baroque reminiscences, which was classified as a Monum...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Rossio, Lis river

In the old Rossio of the city or Campo D. Luís I, the city's markets and fairs were held. The characters Padre Amaro and Cónego Dias from “O Crime do Padre Amaro” by Eça de Queiroz, used to stroll in Rossio. It is currently occupied by the Fonte L...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Misericordia Church, Main Chapel

The Misericórdia Church was built in 1544 on the synagogue of the Jewish community of Leiria that existed there before, constituting one of the 12 anchor projects, among the 25 that are part of the Sefarad Routes project, considered “vital” for th...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Largo Paio Guterres

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Industrial architecture 16th century, Paper mill, Artisanal manufacturing room

Industrial, 16th century architecture. Paper mill built next to the watercourse, with wells where horizontal and parallel wheels rotate. In 1411, D. João I granted a royal license to Gonçalo Lourenço de Gomide to make paper in Leiria, having start...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Industrial architecture 16th century, Paper mill

Industrial, 16th century architecture. Paper mill built next to the watercourse, with wells where horizontal and parallel wheels rotate. In 1411, D. João I granted a royal license to Gonçalo Lourenço de Gomide to make paper in Leiria, having start...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Square of Rodrigues Lobo

The main square of the city is named after Francisco Rodrigues Lobo, a Christian-New poet born in Leiria, whose family was affected by the persecutions promoted by the Inquisition, following the edict of expulsion of the Jews and Moors, from 1496....

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Casa dos Pintores, Jewish Quarter

Casa dos Pintores, a building of medieval origin, is located in the center of the Jewish quarter, next to the old Largo dos Banhos, being one of the rare buildings that testify to the oldest housing architecture in the Historic Center. The designa...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Urban Park, Lis river

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Church of Espirito Santo

Baroque religious monument, dating from the 18th century, was built on the site of a hermitage from the end of the 13th century, with the same name. This would have annexes a hospital and a hostel that, in 1614, were absorbed by Santa Casa da Mise...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Misericordia Church, Choir

The Misericórdia Church was built in 1544 on the synagogue of the Jewish community of Leiria that existed there before, constituting one of the 12 anchor projects, among the 25 that are part of the Sefarad Routes project, considered “vital” for th...

Santiago Ribas - 360portugal

Leiria, Misericordia Church, Sacristy

The sacristy presents a set of works with artistic value. It is worth highlighting a baroque period toilet, made of limestone, with interesting decorative solutions, with several curved vegetal windings.

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Leiria, Centro civico

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Leiria, Castle walled nucleos, aerial

The Castle of Leiria and its walled nucleus, ex-libris of the municipality, are located in a privileged location, marked by the junction of the River Lis with the River Lena. Archaeological remains indicate that that hill will have been occupied f...