Odivelas

The origin of the name Odivelas is like the name of so many other parishes and municipalities of Portugal, wrapped in a legend that has passed through the centuries. Regarding the name of this city, it is said that D. Dinis had the habit of going at night to Odivelas to the Monastery of S. Dinis and one night, knowing the queen of what was happening decided to wait for him and when the king As she made her way to the meeting, the queen questioned him, and she said the following words: "- Go and see them, sir." Therefore, according to legend, the expression "Go see them", by evolution, gave the name to Odivelas.

Integrated in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, the Municipality of Odivelas borders the municipalities of Loures, Sintra, Amadora and Lisbon. The county is formed by an extensive floodplain that extends from Pontinha to Póvoa de Santo Adrião, passing by Odivelas and Olival Basto. The remaining territory is formed by hills, which the inhabitants call mountains, and which are separated by valleys. Here and there are still some pine forests and small gardens, one or another flock of sheep. Caneças is the parish that maintains the most agricultural characteristics. Farmers of this land are cultivated in greenhouses or nurseries, mainly for flowers and ornamental plants.

For its location in the so-called "saloia zone" - historically constituted by the countryside zone, at the gates of the city of Lisbon, characterized by its productive character, but also by its leisure character, due to its environmental characteristics, such as the waters. and the Caneças pine forests, among others -, the Municipality of Odivelas has a gastronomic typical of this area that is worth a try.

And in the «conventual confectionery», thus closely related to the diffusion of sugar in the kitchens of monasteries from the late 20th century, the Convent of Odivelas was undoubtedly one of the ones that contributed most to the confectionery of Portugal. . Their confectionery and confectionery specialties, made by Bernard nuns, have made tradition. Noteworthy are the famous Marmalade of Odivelas, the Almond Sighs, the Rages, the Tabefes, the Forgotten, the Bacon of the sky, among others.

In the municipality of Odivelas there is no shortage of places of interest such as the Águas Livres Aqueduct, the Malaposta Cultural Center, the Serra da Amoreira Archaeological Station, several beautiful fountains (Fontainhas, Piçarras, Castelo de Vide, Chestnut, Birdies), the Monastery of São Dinis and São Bernardo or also several Museum Nuclei (Antas das Pedras Grandes, Laureana Mill, Moinhos das Covas).

(source: www.cm-odivelas.pt)