arrÁbida & setÚbal
Factory of "Tortas de Azeitão" – Quinta da Bacalhoa Wines – Portinho da Arrábida – Setúbal – Cristo Rei (optional)
About Setubal
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Setúbal was inhabited in ancient times by the Phoenicians, and by the Romans who settled on the south bank of the River Sado (in Tróia, opposite the present town), who called it Cetobriga, from which the name Setúbal is derived.
It was the Romans who started one of the region’s most traditional activities – gathering salt and preserving food in salting tanks whose remains still exist on the Tróia Peninsula.
The development of Setúbal has always been linked to the seafaring activities facilitated by its location at the mouth of the River Sado, and it was already one of the country’s main ports in the 14th century.
Its agricultural produce is also important, some of which is mentioned in documents dating back to the 14th century, in particular grapes, wine, oranges and fish. The wines produced in the surrounding area are still famous today, especially table wines and the moscatel called Setúbal, which can be tasted in the cellars in nearby Azeitão, which also produces excellent cheeses and delicious tarts.
The city was the birthplace of outstanding Portuguese cultural figures, particularly Bocage (a 19th century poet, famous for the ironic tone and social criticism that he put into everything he wrote), and Luísa Todi (an important lyric singer). The Convent of Jesus, which houses the Municipal Museum, is in the Gothic-Manueline style, and the Fort of São Filipe, now converted into a “Pousada” (country-house hotel) from which one can enjoy a fantastic view of the city, the River Sado, Tróia and the Arrábida mountain range, also deserve special mention.
Around Setúbal there are nature conservation areas, in particular the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, where it is still possible to watch dolphins in the wild, and the Arrábida Natural Park, which has unique characteristics and contains species that can only be found in areas near the Mediterranean.
There are also excellent beaches, especially Figueirinha, Galapos and Portinho da Arrábida (a magnificent sheltered bay), and on the other side of the River Sado, within easy reach by ferry, there is the Tróia peninsula with about 18 kms of beaches and a golf course.
It was the Romans who started one of the region’s most traditional activities – gathering salt and preserving food in salting tanks whose remains still exist on the Tróia Peninsula.
The development of Setúbal has always been linked to the seafaring activities facilitated by its location at the mouth of the River Sado, and it was already one of the country’s main ports in the 14th century.
Its agricultural produce is also important, some of which is mentioned in documents dating back to the 14th century, in particular grapes, wine, oranges and fish. The wines produced in the surrounding area are still famous today, especially table wines and the moscatel called Setúbal, which can be tasted in the cellars in nearby Azeitão, which also produces excellent cheeses and delicious tarts.
The city was the birthplace of outstanding Portuguese cultural figures, particularly Bocage (a 19th century poet, famous for the ironic tone and social criticism that he put into everything he wrote), and Luísa Todi (an important lyric singer). The Convent of Jesus, which houses the Municipal Museum, is in the Gothic-Manueline style, and the Fort of São Filipe, now converted into a “Pousada” (country-house hotel) from which one can enjoy a fantastic view of the city, the River Sado, Tróia and the Arrábida mountain range, also deserve special mention.
Around Setúbal there are nature conservation areas, in particular the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, where it is still possible to watch dolphins in the wild, and the Arrábida Natural Park, which has unique characteristics and contains species that can only be found in areas near the Mediterranean.
There are also excellent beaches, especially Figueirinha, Galapos and Portinho da Arrábida (a magnificent sheltered bay), and on the other side of the River Sado, within easy reach by ferry, there is the Tróia peninsula with about 18 kms of beaches and a golf course.
Fort of S. Filipe
A must see tour point in Setúbal, is the Fort of S. Filipe that was once an important defensive and control bastion of the city.
Although the date of the beginning of the works isn’t very accurate, the date is near the year 1582, at which time D. Filipe II visited Setúbal.
The Castle of S. Filipe, most often designated by Fort or Fortaleza, and played a tactical role of strengthening the line of defence of the Portuguese coast, buffeted by pirates of Northern Europe and Africa.
Currently operating as a Pousada de Portugal, has a baroque chapel, coated with tiles, dated from 1736, from Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes, depicting scenes of the life of S. Filipe.
It includes a wine area, with a wine cellar in which 36 producers of the region are represented, and which is able to receive specialized events of this economic activity, and also a gourmet shop, with traditional cheeses and pastries.
Quinta da Bacalhôa Wines
In 1998, Commander José Berardo became the main shareholder and continued the company’s mission, investing in planting new vineyards, modernizing wineries and acquiring new properties, and started a partnership with the Lafitte Rothschild Group in Quinta do Carmo.
In 2007 Bacalhôa became the largest shareholder in the Aliança Vinhos de Portugal, one of the most prestigious producers in the categories of high quality sparkling wines, spirits and table wines. The following year, the company bought Quinta do Carmo, thus increasing to 1200ha of vineyards its farm.
Bacalhôa has wineries in the most important regions of Portugal: Alentejo, Península de Setúbal (Azeitão), Lisbon, Bairrada, Dão and Douro.
The preject implemented in several farms under the theme “Art, Wine, Passion) aims to surprise the most demanding expectations. From the vineyards to the wine, the entire winemaking process is envolved in various scenarios that include tradition and modernity, with diverse artistic exhibitions, from painting to sculpture, never forgetting the magnificient natural works.
With a total capacity of 20 million liters, 15,000 oak barrels and an area of vines in production of about 1,200 hectares, Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal continues its commitment to innovatiion in the sector, with a view to the creation of wines that provide unique and surprising experiences with high quality and consistency.
WE ARE HERE
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Rua Alexandre Braga, nº 29, 3º Esquerdo
1150-003 Lisboa - info@acctours.pt
- +351 912 892 897
