Part of the old Santa
Maria church, though it was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, is
still preserved within the castle walls.
The Palmela village is
said to have been founded in 310 B.C.. Palmela seems to be a
derivative form of “palma”, a Latin word that means palm tree leaf
- or victory. It was in Moorish hands for many centuries, then abandoned by
the them to become a Christian possession. Built in a privileged
location, the Palmela Castle is a key point between the Sado and
Tejo´s basin and was one pf the parts of the defensive triangle of
Lisbon.
Palmela boasts
excellent wines and superb cuisine, and it is also the perfect
starting place to discover the Costa Azul and the magnificent Arrábida
Natural Park.