Cela brings together distinctive traces of its local history and a distinctly rural landscape. Its buildings, circular hiking trail and varied vegetation offer different focal points for a stay.

History and Buildings

The foral charters provide two firm historical reference points. Cela received its first foral charter in 1286. In 1514, King Manuel I granted the town a new foral charter under the name Cela Nova. The Pelourinho de Cela was also built that year. The two dates of 1514 therefore refer to different things: a new charter and the construction of a monument. Cela is also one of the oldest settlements in the former Coutos de Alcobaça.

The Pelourinho de Cela stands at Largo da Igreja Matriz and is classified as an imóvel de interesse público (IIP), or an object of public interest. Its basic form consists of a simple column on three circular steps. Above it is a conical finial with an armillary sphere and the coat of arms of the abbots of Alcobaça. You can appreciate the monument both through its historical context and its individual architectural features.

The parish church of Santo André in Cela was rebuilt in 1909 in Neo-Manueline style and retains gargoyles from the earlier church. Comparing it with the pillory brings out their different features: the pillory’s column, steps and finial, and the church’s rebuilding date, architecture and surviving gargoyles.

Hiking Trail and Landscape

The PR13 ACB circular hiking trail – Cela: Veredas, Ventos e Monumentos – starts and ends at the Junta de Freguesia da Cela. Having the same starting and finishing point makes planning the route straightforward.

The Monumento do General Humberto Delgado offers panoramic views of the landscape. Cela also has pockets of Portuguese oak trees interspersed with pine and eucalyptus stands. The western slope is covered in Mediterranean scrubland. On higher ground, fruit and vegetable plots give the landscape a distinctly rural character.

The scrubland provides suitable habitat for wild rabbits, foxes, blackbirds, Eurasian jays and partridges. For nature enthusiasts, Cela’s landscape includes not only varied vegetation but also habitats for these animal species.

Cela as a Place to Stay

When deciding whether Cela suits your trip, it helps to distinguish between two main themes. The town’s history is reflected in its foral charters and in the different features of the pillory and parish church. The landscape offers changing vegetation, agricultural plots, panoramic views and scrubland habitats. If you are looking for a hotel in Cela, you can weigh up whether cultural history or hiking and nature should play a bigger part in your stay. As an additional landmark, the A8 motorway runs through Cela in the direction of Lisbon.

Discover more destinations: Alcobaça, Turquel, Montes, Sao Martinho Do Porto, Bárrio.

Back to the main travel overview: Alcobaça.