Ericeira Has Fine Seafood Restaurants

Ericeira is a fishing village 50 km northeast of Lisbon,The Portuguese republican movement had developed
25 km from Sintra and 10 km from Mafra. It has thea powerful base of support in Lisbon where half the
Atlantic Ocean as an eternal companion. Out of thiscountries teachers, doctors and accountants resided.
relationship, the sun has given the best of its light andThirty per cent of Portugals industrial employees
an ocean of traditions has been born.worked in or near the city and dozens of newspapers
The hospitality of its people, the harmony of the oldwere appearing to cater for the political culture taking
village with its narrow cobblestone streets,root in the capital. Junior army and navy officers,
characteristic housing, singular monuments, the sea, thefactory workers, journalists and civil servants were
fishing, the cuisine, the bold Atlantic views and thejoining together to be initiated into the Carbonari secret
multiplicity of cultural programming interlace here in asociety that had spread from Italy to Portugal.
grand way to welcome its visitors.The Carbonari were dedicated to the overthrow of
Its fine seafood restaurants have made the town verythe monarchy and the rolling back of the powers of
popular as a place to enjoy an evening out withthe church. The signal for the revolution to roll came
friends.from the naval ship Admastor on 4th October 1910.
Ericeira is also well known amongst the surfingThe monarchy was caught completely unawares by
community, who travel from around the world to takethe speed of events. King Manuel II was playing bridge
advantage of the powerful Atlantic waves that can bewith the visiting president of Brazil, when he was
found here.advised to travel to Mafra where the royal family
Walking down through the old village with its picturespent their final night, before sailing into British protection
square painted houses and cobbled streets the visitorfrom the shores of Praia dos Pescadores in Ericeira.
passes a variety of restaurants, all offering exceptionalIn the heart of the village sits the Casa da Cultura of
seafood menus. The seafront offers wonderfulEriceira. This contains a library, auditorium and art
sunsets and interesting places of worship, such as thegallery named after Jaime Lobo e Silva, a local band
St Sebastian chapel.conductor and historian who died in 1943. There are
In 1910 Ericeira became the point of departure for theregular performances of classical music by world class
royal family when they were forced to leavemusicians that at a mere 3 euros entrance fee should
Portuguese shores and take sanctuary in the UK.not be missed.