Cartaxo: Travel and tourism

The county, slightly hilly, is characterized by a green lanscape sprinkled with small villages and cultivated fields, namely vineyards which produce the well-known Cartaxo wines.

The ancient town of Cartaxo, founded in 1312, has a valuable Manueline stone cross, classified as a national monument, a curious Clock Tower and two interesting museums: the Vineyard and Wine Rural Museum and the Miniatures Museum, displaying a collection of miniature handicrafts.

At the parish of Vila Chã de Ourique, the charming 16th-century Chavões Palace was rebuilt in the 19th century and has been classified as a monument of public interest.

Situated on the right bank of the river Tagus, the county can be easily explored following two tours, «Country» and «Ward»: the first leaves from Cartaxo and visits Vila Chã de Ourique and Palhota (a typical fishing village with wooden houses built on pillars to protect them against the floods); the second explores Cartaxo and several villages, such as Pontével, with a fine Mother Church from the 17th century.

Both these tours are integrated in the Wine Route which also visits farms and wine-cellars, namely the estate of Fonte Bela, where it is still possible to admire surprisingly huge casks.