Oeiras (pronounced Oh-ire-ash) is a pretty town, just east of Carcavelos and about half way between Lisbon and Cascias.
The municipality was founded in 1759 by the Marquis de Pombal as a reward for having reconstructed downtown Lisbon after the devestating earthquake of 1755. He had a magnificent manor house built – the Palace of the Counts of Oeiras, (now undergoing renovations), makes a huge impression with its grand statues, stone staircases, chapel, tiles, gardens with cascades and an aqueduct with arches.
The Oireas area was once part of a defensive line of maritime fortresses, built along the Lisbon coast between the 16th and 17th centuries, including Bugio Fort, visible in the middle of the Tagus, and the São Julião da Barra Fort at the western end of Carcavelos’ beach. Both are examples of Renaissance military architecture.
Oeiras hosts a lively calendar of activities and cultural events ranging from classical music, to dance and exhibitions.
It boasts a large shopping centre, Oeiras Park, with a variety if shops, restaurants and a cinema as well as underground parking. It’s easily accessed by public transport: Bus 111 from outside Oeiras train station will take you there. A Taxi from there to Carcavelos costs approximately 12€.
Poets’ Park, (Jardim dos Poetas) is a beautiful space where poetry meets art, leisure, culture and sport.
The ‘Boulevard‘ is flanked by ‘islands’ of small themed gardens containing statues of poets. They were chosen as representative of the poetry of the Portuguese speaking world. Twenty poets are depicted from the twentieth century and the remaining from other times.
Listed among them are Teixeira Pascoaes, Florbela Espanca, José Gomes Ferreira, Miguel Torga, Sophia de Mello Breyner, Natália Correia, Eugenio de Andrade, Fernando Pessoa, Mário de Sá Carneiro, Alexandre O’Neill and Antonio Ramos Rosa.