The first thought associated with the city of Caldas da Rainha, is its hot spring, the entire genesis and essence of the city comes from hydrotherapy. Along the historic city center it is possible to travel through the centuries in which the city was developing as demand for its waters, so beloved by Queen Dona Leonor.

Born in 1458 and died in 1525, the Queen Dona Leonor is remembered for his caring actions and assistance to the needy and cultural initiatives. It was she who created the first thermal hospital in the city of Caldas da Rainha and the Mercy of Lisbon, the level of aid to those most in need and in the case of culture, protecting Gil Vicente and Damiao de Gois, supporting the arts and media and being responsible for press release and translated Christine de Pisan’s work, the mirror Cristina (1518), considered as the beginning of the feminist movement. The Queen also devoted himself to religious initiatives such as the foundation of the convents of the Mother of God and Foretold.

In the summer of 1484, the Queen Leonor took refuge in Obidos, to ward off the disease spreading to Lisbon. During their travels, the Queen Leonor will have seen the ragged poor and other patients frialdades to bathe themselves in the spa of Caldas, who were in inhumane conditions. This event touched it and had built a pattern of masonry, not to forget this place. The following year, began the construction of a hospital, for all its users could find comfort. The village developed around this building and the protection of Queen Leonor, created a projection halo to the arts and artists, which has to last for centuries.

She founded the Thermal hospital is in Largo Thermal, built in 1485 and was regarded as the first thermal hospital in the world. The Queen Dona Leonor enjoyed its waters with those most in need, for it embraced. Among others:

• Church of Our Lady of Pópulo – by the Master Mateus Fernandes, this church was elevated to the Church the Mother City. Its small dimensions have a huge mix of styles, among them is the Manueline style. In 1504, this church was the scene of one of the emblematic works of Gil Vicente, Auto St. Martin, protected the Queen.
• Chapel of the Holy Spirit – It dates back to the fifteenth century, and later rebuilt in the eighteenth century and its interior is altarpieces of the XVI century, Diogo Teixeira of authorship. This stands out in front, the shield of the Third Order of St. Francis.
• Chapel of St. Sebastian – in Republic Square, also known as the Fruit Square which its initial structure, we found only the rosette and the tile panels.
• Statue of Queen Leonor – located on the south entrance of the city, next to the D. Carlos I Park, they are are made honors and tributes by Volunteer Fire of Caldas da Rainha, on May 15 – the official day of the city.
• D. Park pavilions Carlos I – built by architect Rodrigo Berquó representative of the history of caldense hydrotherapy. These buildings had the purpose of being the admission area of the hospital, but have never been used for this purpose. Over time, these harbored various institutions of the city. A great ambition Rodrigo Berquó to the spa, was to transform the hospital along with the pavilions, a spa, to be one of the most important resorts of nineteenth-century Europe. The Pavilions were built next to Lake Park, an image that would become one of the cards business in the city.
• Glass sky – bridge between the Largo Thermal Hospital and D. Carlos I Park, are united by a route covered by glass sky, decorated with ironwork forged, as the lamps in the shape of dragon. This was rebuilt according to the original, coming from the great activity times in the Thermal Hospital, and is next to the old Casino and the former House of Culture. Currently, this space during cultural activities such as exhibitions and small fairs.
• Fountains – in Caldas da Rainha are three fountains, set in the old network of water supply, which was promoted by King John V., also responsible for the renovation of the Hospital in 1750. These fountains take on an element of the Baroque period, located in three different locations. The most iconic fountain is the Five Bicas, standing at the Hospital, the path of Mata, through Republic Square or in the direction of the Queen’s rotunda in order to Foz do Arelho. This along with the other two fountains, allude to the seven daughters of High and Oceanide PLEIONE (female deity personified by watercourses, which descends to the ocean).

Still protecting the cultural and artistic vein, Queen Leonor allowed the development of his legacy, and today Caldas da Rainha is recognized as an artistic hub:

House Museum San Rafael – located at Rua Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, this was founded in 1884, with parts produced factory site ceramist Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, and displayed different parts in relation to the different periods of his life. Already, the House Museum collection consists of ceramics produced over the years factory Bordallo Pinheiro, keeping some original pieces and other copies of the artist, in the late nineteenth century.

Faience Artistic Bordallo Pinheiro – Official Store Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro Factory, along with the House Museum San Rafael, where a completely decorated restaurant with parts factory.

Arts Center –It is a municipal structure protected by the Department of Culture, which aims to support the development of Arts and Culture. In addition to the Municipal Museums, this also includes infrastructure, created by the City Council, which support the artistic production and promotes events and activities in the cultural sphere. This offers the artists and students conditions for the further development and professional and artistic development. Framing these are also the temporary residence programs and private and institutional partnerships. Currently, in the temporary exhibition galleries can be found – two at Atelier Museum António Duarte, one in the Atelier Museum João Fragoso and the Museum Feyo Barata.

Atelier Museum António Duarte – Inaugurated in 1985 after the donation of the collection of Master António Duarte (1912-1998) to his hometown, Caldas da Rainha. In this museum, you will find much of his sculptural production, distributed by several rooms that offer from public sculpture consisting of esbocetos, models and mockups, to a more intimate record and artist personnel. You can also find core of Sacred Art.

Atelier Museum João Fragoso – Inaugurated in 1994, this followed the cultural policy of the municipality, started with Atelier Museum António Duarte. The museum was built to house the works of the artist João Fragoso (1913-2000) and to create a workshop space that would allow the continuation of his artistic production.

Concas space – This small museum is installed in the building of the Municipal Workshops, founded in 2009. In this you can discover part of plastic works of the painter Concas (1946-1991). These works show the various stages of his life, the first drawings in Mozambique work while attending the School of Fine Arts of Lisbon and a work ended on the eve of his death. The painter Maria da Conceição Nunes joined the “Group Six”, composed by various artists, which led to the School of Arts and Design of Caldas da Rainha.

Barata Feyo Museum – Opened in 2004 and designed by one of the sons, architect Antonio Barata Feyo, gathers an important collection of this sculptor of the school of Porto. Salvador Barata Feyo (1899-1990) was a sculptor, essayist and educator, stood out with his works portrait, official sculpture and religious sculpture.

Ceramic Museum – located in a romantic palace, this museum is composed of an important collection of ceramics, organized thematically, covering the sixteenth century to the twentieth, comprising the ceramic cores: contemporary, representative of the main centers, foreign and Caldas. The museum also presents an important tile industry.

Cycling Museum – opened to the December 14, 1999, and brings together pieces that represent the history of cycling in Portugal. This is managed by the Association for the Cycling Development (ADC), is integrated in the Municipality of Caldas da Rainha, the Portuguese Cycling Federation and the Sporting Club of Caldas. ADC aims to promotion of cycling and its history through promotion actions mode, estate collection and cycling track record, technical and pedagogical training in cycling area, by using the bike, promote and streamline sports events also develops publications editions in velocipédica and area events such as conference, seminars, among others, to promote this.

Museum Hospital Caldas – the buildings comes from the old “Caza Real”, known to have assisted the Queen Dona Leonor during his visits to the city. This museum presents the memories of the institution and the urban space that has developed over time. Your estate consists of painting, sculpture, carving, jewelery, vestments, furniture, ceramics, graphic documents and medical and scientific instruments from the twentieth century.

Museum José Malhoa – It is the center of the D. Carlos I Park, having a collection of painting, sculpture, ceramics and medals from the last quarter of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The paint industry has a set of works by José Malhoa, while the ceramic core focuses on the works of Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro.

Museum Bernardo – This aims to support, protection and dissemination of contemporary art, through events such as exhibitions, cycles, shows and international exchanges, among others. The museum presents an alternative program, and takes up two spaces, the museum and Casa Bernardo, is in the house in a neighboring district to the Park D. Carlos I.

In order to maintain the artistic spirit of the city, they have been developed both infrastructure support as entities that promote art and Portuguese culture:

Cultural and Congress Centre – This modern, contemporary building, opened on May 15, 2008, aims to develop cultural activities, including musical shows, theaters and exhibitions, and also organization and realization congress.

Youth Centre – focused space for youth, where there are activities related to culture, music, dance and exhibitions.

Queen’s Theatre – professional theater company and training center of dramatic arts at 27 years, performed several pieces and shows off the house mother (Caldas da Rainha) in Evora, Coimbra, Lisbon and Porto, promoting a national and international tour experience. In the future, the Queen’s Theatre will have its own facilities, the Black Box.

For those who enjoy traditional trade, Caldas da Rainha has its typical shopping streets:

Montras Street – his real name is Rua Almirante Cândido dos Reis, but the caldense population calls this artery Rua Das Storefronts, as this has always been an active traditional trade. This street is the bridge between the city and the historic center.

Camões Street – also involved the traditional trade, particularly the area of ceramics. This is located one of the oldest pastry shops of the city, Machado pastry. This street leads to Largo Thermal Hospital, and on your route is also the Cycling Museum and Park nightclub, and allows access to the Park D. Carlos I.

Av. Heróis da Grande Guerra One of the main arteries of the city, you can find a variety of traditional trade between jewelers, perfumeries, fashion stores, sport, decoration, among others.

Fruit Square – a great peculiarity of the city is the only daily market open-air, in the city center. This is sought for its organic production, where the most varied vegetables and fruits.