In 1728, Vendas Novas combined royal building history with an everyday facility: that year, the Palácio das Passagens and the Chafariz Real were built. Their different stories lead to palace architecture, a royal travelling party and a former watering place.
Palace History in Architecture and Details
The Palácio das Passagens was commissioned by King João V. On the way to Caia for the exchange of the princesses, it housed the royal travelling party for two nights. The palace’s Capela Real was probably also built in 1728 at the king’s request. It was intended to provide spiritual support to the royal guests and the royal family during their stay. The chapel is an example of palace architecture; its design is believed to have been the work of Custódio Vieira.
The architecture is particularly tangible in the continuous covering of blue-and-white azulejos, about 1.80 metres high. With one exception, the figurative panels are dated to around 1750: a panel depicting Saint Barbara dates from 1972. The dimensions, colours and dates give the chapel a distinctive design profile, setting it apart from the palace’s history as a stop for the royal travelling party.
A different royal undertaking concerned the Palácio do Vidigal: King Carlos I had it planned as a hunting lodge in 1896. The complex includes a chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição and an arena where various bullfights were held. The Chafariz Real, by contrast, tells of the work on the royal palace: it was built in 1728 as a watering place for the workers and animals involved. Today it stands behind the municipal market in a pedestrian area.
Museums, Culture and Preserved Landscape
The Museu da Escola Prática de Artilharia traces the development of artillery from the late 19th century onwards. It comprises an outdoor area and an indoor section with eight rooms. The Fórum Cultural “A Praça” has a different focus: one area is used to create artistic objects, while another is intended for concerts, conferences, exhibitions and performing arts. The forum offers seating for up to 300 people. Military history and various forms of cultural programming sit side by side, without telling the same story.
The Moinho de Vento also offers a distinctive feature: it is considered the only known example of its kind in the municipality and is believed to date from the 19th century. In the Jardim Público de Vendas Novas, by contrast, traces of the area’s former agricultural landscape can be seen in its preserved features. The four-hectare garden preserves orchards, cork oaks, holm oaks and palm trees, as well as wells, basins and irrigation channels from former farms.
For a glimpse beyond Vendas Novas, Landeira offers a specific historical point of reference. The municipality lies about 20 kilometres from Vendas Novas. There stands the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, the oldest building in the municipality; it dates from the 15th century.
Regional Cuisine and Experiences
Bifana de Vendas Novas is a local speciality with a precisely described preparation: a flattened pork loin steak is fried in a rich butter sauce and served in a bread roll toasted to varying degrees. Granadas are also part of the town’s culinary history. This traditional sweet was created in 1972 at the initiative of Mr Marques and is inspired by Vendas Novas’ military tradition. The Queijaria das Romãs also makes fresh sheep’s cheese by hand. At Empada Rainha, which opened in 2019, you can find empadas filled with chicken or farinheira; check before visiting whether your preferred variety is currently available.
Herdade da Ajuda Nova offers off-road excursions around the estate, as well as winery tours and wine tastings. If you are planning a winery tour or wine tasting, confirm the booking arrangements before your trip. The various experiences have different focuses: one centres on an off-road drive, another on wine and its production.
Recurring events include the Feira de Maio in May, Noites de Verão from Friday to Sunday in July and August, Festas do Concelho on 7 September, the Feira de Setembro, and a monthly market every third Sunday. If you are planning your trip around an event, check the dates in advance. The town’s history also has an early connection to the railway: Vendas Novas station opened on 1 February 1861, making the town one of the first places in Portugal to have a railway connection.
Discover more destinations: Vendas Novas, Landeira, Silveiras, SĂŁo Pedro, Montemor-O-Novo, Mora, Arraiolos, Portel.
For the broader travel overview: Evora.
