Description Torres Novas

Torres Novas is a Portuguese city belonging to the district of Santarém, in the province of Ribatejo, region of the Center and sub-region of the Middle Tejo, with about 36,717 inhabitants.

It is the seat of a municipality with 270 km² in area and 36 338 inhabitants (2013) of which approximately 13 600 inhabit the city. It is subdivided into 10 parishes. The municipality is limited to the northwest by the municipality of Ourém, to the east by Tomar, Vila Nova da Barquinha and Entroncamento, to the southeast by Golegã, to the south by Santarém and to the west by Alcanena.

A region already inhabited in Roman times, as evidenced by the ruins of Cardílio village, with precious polychrome mosaics, Torres Novas has in its castle of eleven towers, the former residence of the mayors, the most prestigious monument.

The city crossed by the Almonda River, surrounded by a graceful garden with terraces, offers multiple attractions such as the Churches of São Salvador, Santa Maria do Castelo, São Tiago, São Pedro, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Vale and the Municipal Museum of Carlos Reis.

Nearby, the Riachos Agricultural Museum deserves a visit, where various aspects of rural life are portrayed, the Gruta do Almonda considered the largest natural cavity in our country and the Caves of Lapas, with their curious labyrinthine formations.

About 7 kms from the city, the Paúl do Boquilobo Nature Reserve, a protected area where the landscape is dominated by willows and reeds, has great ornithological value, as it is the place that several birds choose to nest, of which they stand out important heron colonies.

The City Festivities in July and the Dried Fruit Fair in October are the most important events in the region, and the Gastronomic Festival of Cabrito in March should also be mentioned.