For a small country, Portugal has a rich literary tradition. Portugal’s 2nd king was a poet, and every generation has produced writers of note. Today, mountains, monuments and an infinite sea make for inspiration. Here are a few places that have a writer's touch:  

 

 

What today is the Photography Museum was once a prison where Camilo Castelo Branco was incarcerated for running off with his lover. While in prison, Camilo wrote the romance Amor de Perdição and Memórias de Cárcere. Camilo’s cell is open for visitors.

 

 

Where the poet Fernando Pessoa used to hang out. A statue of Fernando Pessoa invites anyone to sit next to him and discuss metaphysics.

 

 

 

In Mafra lies the stage to one of the famous novels by the Nobel-prize winner José Saramago: “Baltasar and Blimunda”. It is the story of royalty and church corruption, centered in the construction of the Convento de Mafra. The monument turns 300 next year. 

 

 

The jaw dropping scenery of the valley of the River Douro was an inspiration for the  19th century Portuguese writer Eça de Queiroz, who lived in Tormes where we can visit his House-Museum. He is best known for his descriptions of the Portuguese society of the day.

 

 

This walled town has several new bookshops 45 minutes away from Lisbon. Óbidos Literary Town shows this town as a magical place -  where the book is the main character!

 

 Penedo da Saudade (Coimbra)

A park of poetry?  Yes, once a hillside that King D. Pedro took to grieve the loss of his beloved Inês, it became a park in the 20^th century, where students of the university inscribed verses of love, loss and friendship on stone monuments.

Castle of Penedono (Centro)

The gallant tale of the knight Magriço and the 12 of England as told by Camões, Teófilo Braga and others comes alive in the ruined castle of Álvaro Gonçalves Coutinho, the great Magriço himself. 

 Constância (Centro de Portugal)

Where the great 16^th century  Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões lived for some time. On June 10^th  , that celebrates the national day, there is a festival that pays homage to the author of the major Portuguese poem “Lusíadas”.

Graça Literary Walk (Lisboa)

Near the Castle and along the route of tram 28, one can do the Graça Literary Walk and see works of street art depicting the Portuguese writers who lived in the neighborhood: Natalia Correia, Angelina Vidal, Sophia de Mello Breyner Anderson and Florbela Espanca, also referenced in the street names.

More information: http://www.ebanocollective.org/#!passeio/c14ow