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The picturesque town of
Sardoal in
central
Portugal clings to the northern banks of the River Tagus (Rio Tejo) and
has for many years been a haven for gardeners.
The town has held the title of Best Town
Garden in Portugal for many years due to the sheer amount of flowers and
flowering shrubs on display through the narrow, cobbled streets which
drape from every nook and cranny available.
Sardoal in central Portugal for the most
part is a sleepy country town steeped in history though benefiting from
all the basic amenities including mini-market, cafes, pharmacies,
school, bank and train station.
The majority of streets are cobbled and on
an incline, lined with white washed houses of varying ages. The town's
centre is no less floral and is over looked by a large, intricately hand
painted tiled freeze and large stone weather vane. |
There is no written record of when
Sardoal was founded however it was long before the 12th century as there
are letters mentioning the town by Queen Santa Isabel as far back as
1313. Inhabitants of
Sardoal are fondly referred
to as Os Lagatos (the lizards), a term which was coined by Gil Vicente
the 15th century Portuguese playwright who had strong links to the town.
Sardoal
has many artistic connections not least a collection of seven 15th
century oil painted oak panels - the work of the Master of Sardoal which
document the best of Portuguese Manueline painting. |
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Sardoal's Monastery |
Sardoal |
Church of Misericórdia |
Flowery Streets |
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Amenities in Sardoal, central Portugal |
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Sardoal, though a small town, has all
the amenities necessary for living including shops, art galleries,
pharmacy, banks, schools, mini-market, health centre, train station,
post office, bakers, butchers and tourist information office. |
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Map of Sardoal, central Portugal |
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View Sardoal, central Portugal in a larger map |
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