Vendas Novas: Palace History, Garden and Local Cuisine

In Vendas Novas, you can choose from various themes when planning your stay: palace and church history, artillery, garden landscapes, and local food and wine. The different places and specialties focus on distinct periods and subjects.

Palácio das Passagens and Capela Real

Palácio das Passagens was built in 1728 on the orders of King D. João V. It was intended to provide royal guests with accommodation for two nights each while travelling to Caia and back for the event known as the “Exchange of the Princesses.” The building is thus connected to a specific royal journey and a planned length of stay.

King D. João V probably had the Capela Real do Palácio das Passagens built in 1728. It was intended to provide spiritual support to guests and the royal family during their stay at the palace. From 1843 to 1969, the chapel served as the parish church of Vendas Novas. Its interior also reflects a distinct chronology: the continuous covering of blue-and-white azulejos is about 1.80 metres high; the panels are dated to around 1750. A panel depicting Saint Barbara dates from 1972.

Artillery history at the museum

The Museu da Escola Prática de Artilharia comprises an outdoor area and an indoor area with eight rooms. It presents the development of artillery from the late 19th century onwards. The museum thus has a different historical focus from the palace and chapel: it centres on the development of a military field. By contrast, the palace’s history and the chapel’s later role as a parish church tell of a royal commission and religious use.

Jardim Público de Vendas Novas

Jardim Público de Vendas Novas covers four hectares. Its surviving features include orchards, cork oaks, holm oaks and palm trees. Fountains, basins and irrigation channels from former agricultural holdings have also been preserved. The garden thus brings together its plant life and traces of earlier water management. The grounds also include an open-air amphitheatre.

Granadas, bifana and wine

Granadas are a traditional sweet from Vendas Novas. They originated in 1972 at the initiative of Sr. Marques and were inspired by the town’s military tradition. The Bifana de Vendas Novas offers a different culinary note: it consists of a flattened pork loin steak, fried in a reduced butter sauce and served in a more or less toasted bread roll. A sweet with its own history of origin and a dish with a precisely described preparation thus sit side by side.

Wine is produced and bottled at Herdade da Ajuda Nova in Vendas Novas. Wine tastings are also offered there, and off-road trips around the estate are possible. Confirm arrangements for these activities before you arrive.

Your choice of themes can therefore encompass a range of perspectives: the palace and chapel connect a royal journey with the chapel’s later role as a parish church, while the museum covers artillery history from the late 19th century onwards. The garden draws attention to plants and former water facilities; Granadas and bifana represent different sides of local cuisine. You can choose the focus that best matches your interests in history, gardens or food.

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