Peniche: from the old churches to the fortress: a self-guided walk

By Alleytale

A fishing town on a rocky peninsula, and the fortress that watched over it

Peniche is a fishing town on a rocky peninsula, and the walk follows the old town south from its churches to the fortress and the harbour.

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The stops

1. 1Church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda

   This church dates from the early 16th century and is the oldest church in the town of Peniche. According to legend, the statue of the Virgin that gives it its name was found in a small grotto on the Papoa peninsula. Inside, azulejo panels show scenes from the life of the Virgin, and the chancel ceiling is covered with painted coffered panels.

   

2. 2Igreja da Misericórdia

   This 17th-century church belongs to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Peniche, whose museum centre is made up of the church and its outbuildings. The walls of the main part of the church are lined with 55 paintings, which together with others on show make an important collection of 17th-century regional painting. Five of them are by Josefa de Óbidos.

   

3. 3Church of São Pedro

   The church of São Pedro was raised at the end of the 16th century and given its Baroque decoration between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The main altarpiece is gilded Baroque woodcarving, and 18th-century paintings inside show scenes from the life of Saint Peter, among them the miraculous catch of fish.

   

4. 4Fortaleza de Peniche

   Building began in 1557 on the site of an earlier castle, and the walls enclose about two hectares. In 1934 the fortress became a maximum-security political prison under the Estado Novo regime, and on 3 January 1960 Álvaro Cunhal and others escaped by climbing down the walls on a rope of sheets. The National Museum of Resistance and Freedom opened here on 27 April 2024.

   

5. 5Porto de Peniche

   Peniche has been an important fishing harbour since ancient times. Today the port has a fishing side with the lota, the fish auction hall run by Docapesca, and a leisure side, the Marina da Ribeira. In summer, boats run from Peniche to the Berlengas islands, about 10 km offshore.

   

Hear the full story as you walk, or create your own walk, in the Alleytale app.