Attractions and Places To See around Pombal - Top 16

At the entrance to Ansião, the Ponte da Cal bridge crosses the serene Nabão River. Built in the 17th century, it formed part of the old road axis between Coimbra and Lisbon and reveals, beneath its two perfect arches, curious marks sculpted by time. Popular memory links it to the passage of Queen Saint Isabel, inspiration for the old bathing tanks next to the bridge (one for women, the other for men). Legend says that the waters became miraculous after the queen refreshed herself here, giving rise to the famous "holy baths". The small chapel was built to mark this devotion.

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Star is sheltered by an impressive grotto, which rises like a stone mantle over the temple. Once a simple cavity, it grew until it took on its current form. Inside, a staircase leads to the deepest grotto. And, at the top, a small viewpoint guards the image of Our Lady of the Star facing the sea, recalling the legend that says she guided a fisherman back home.

The Poio Valley stands as a well-kept secret of the mountains, preserved for centuries by its rugged, steep, wild, and inaccessible geography. Only shepherds and adventurers used to know these paths. Perhaps that is why a rare fauna found refuge here. It is one of the largest fluviokarstic canyons in Portugal, a valley patiently sculpted by water, which left monumental slopes and a breathtaking landscape. To the south lies Poio Velho; to the north, the more famous Poio Novo, two chapters of the same magnificent landscape.

Pombal Castle dominates the landscape and the very history of the city. Built between 1156 and 1171 by the Knights Templar, it formed part of the old Mondego defensive ring, a series of fortresses that protected access to Coimbra after the Reconquista. Over the centuries it suffered attacks, including those from Napoleonic troops, and fell into ruin. Today, the castle has once again become a vibrant and accessible space, a privileged viewpoint and an essential landmark of Pombal's identity.

Pombal Castle, one of the most important Templar monuments in central Portugal: It stands atop a rocky outcrop beside the Arunca River, overlooking the city of Pombal. Built between 1156 and 1171 by Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, on the site of an ancient Roman fort and Arab fortress. It formed part of the Templar defensive line to protect Coimbra and launch offensives against the Muslims.

A charming historic bridge located in the municipality of Ansião, in the district of Leiria, Portugal. Probably built in the 17th century, this arched structure consists of two full arches and a gently sloping trestle deck. Beneath one of the arches is a stone basin, which, according to local tradition, was used by Queen Saint Isabel to bathe during her visits to the region.

Ordered to be built by D. Pedro I in the second quarter of the 14th century, with the intention of collecting tributes/taxes owed by the Jews and Moors on St. Martin's Day. This building with Manueline characteristics separated the old town of Pombal, to the east, towards the Castle, from the new town, to the west, towards the Arunca river, serving as a border to what was inside and outside the town's walls. In 1509, during the reign of D. Manuel I, it underwent structural improvements, and he ordered the installation of a mechanical clock and a bell, so that the ringing of the Trindades would always sound at the right time. Around 1776, the Marquis of Pombal had this bell transferred to the Prison building. In 2014 it underwent improvement works, with the aim of welcoming its visitors by making its history known.

Excellent view from a height for many kilometers