Every country has at least one historic town that is considered to be its crowning glory. In Canada that town is arguably Quebec City: in Portugal it’s unquestionably Óbidos, which has been declared a national monument. Originally a Moorish stronghold, it was captured by King Afonso Enriques in 1148. Thereafter a castle was built, and both the castle and the surrounding town were enlarged, encircled with imposing walls, endowed in 1575 with an impressive aqueduct, and improved over the centuries, until today Óbidos is ... (more)