Arrabida & Wine Experience

Inspiring for some, symbol of dictatorship and obscurantism for others, the monument to Christ leaves no one indifferent. It was inaugurated across the Tagus in 1959, as a way for the Portuguese episcopate to thank God for having spared Lisbon from World War II. The 28 meter-high (90ft) image of Christ stands at a 75 meter-tall pedestal (246ft), and an elevator takes visitors up to the feet of the statue, with the 25 April Bridge standing right below. From the statue or from the terrace across the monument there´s a beautiful panoramic view of practically the entire city of Lisbon.

The vineyard has 14 ha and was planted in 1972. At the request of Thomas Scoville, then owner of Quinta da Bacalhôa, António Avillez installed a vineyard here to produce a wine with a similar design to that used in Bordeaux, namely in Médoc. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot are the red varieties produced here. The vineyard planted at Quinta da Bacalhôa finds the ideal terroir for the production of excellent wines: well-drained clay-limestone soils and mild climate due to the strong Atlantic influence. Discover a privileged landscape passing along the gardens and the vineyards to the lake house, where you can find the first tile dated in Portugal and discover the unique pieces of art from the private art collection of the Commander. The experience includes a visit to the Bacalhôa Museum and ends with a wine tasting.

The Palmela castle is located on one of the highest points in the Arrabida Mountain. It is difficult to get to and was hence ideal for its role in defending the surrounding lands. During the Christian Reconquest led by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, Palmela was part of the defensive line built south of the Tagus. At that time, the king bestowed the lands of Palmela, Almada and Alcácer to the Order of Holy Sword which took on responsibility for their defense and settlement. In 1205, king Sancho I reaffirmed this gift by installing the Order´s Chapter in the castle. In the 15th century, king John I set about a series of restoration projects, particularly focusing on the Donjon tower, and decreeing the construction of the convent that would become the Order's headquarters as from 1443. The castle underwent further alterations in the 17th century, during the reign of king Pedro II. The Santiago convent remained active through the prohibition of religious orders in 1834. After a period left abandoned, the building was restored by the state in 1945 and transformed into the Pousada (manor hotel) of Portugal.

Around 1 km from the city of Setubal, there is the imposing Fort of St. Philip (Saint Philip) guarding access to the Sado river. It is named after the king who ordered its construction, Philip I of Portugal and the II of Spain, in 1590. Italian military engineer Filipe Terzi, protégé of the Spanish Royal Court, was awarded the project. It was completed in 1600 but under the guidance of Leonardo Torreano due to the death of Filipe Terzi. These fortifications are an example of the adaptations being made due to new military strategies and the progress in ballistic firepower that were being made at the beginning of the 17th century. The star shape and the thickness of the double walls, and wide moat, ensured attacks could not be concentrated hence increasing the defensive effectiveness. On the inside, the fort was protecting a number of buildings including the former governors residence and a small chapel decorated in tiles completed by the artist Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes. These represent scenes from the life of Saint Philip and are dated 1736.