Figueira da Foz, Beach of Brightness

Figueira da Foz, a city of the district of Coimbra and the seat of the county government, located at the mouth of the river Mondego and sheltered by the Serra (mountain) da Boa Viagem, induced the inspiration of many poets and artists.

As a city of tourism it plays an important part in the centre of the country.

Therefor the road and railconnections have been of great value. In Figueira da Foz end the railroads of the west, of the Beira Alta (a region north-east of Figueira da Foz) and the link to Alfarelos.

A zone of legal gambling, you find here one of the biggest casinos of the Iberian Peninsula – the Casino Peninsular.

With the aim of holding congresses in the last few years, the city has been trying to become an important centre of culture.

According to the legend the place’s name is due to a fig tree, which stood at the quay of Salmanha, where the fishermen used to tie up their boats. The historian Nelson Borges said, however, that Figueira comes from the word "fagaria", which means "opening, huge mouth". Foz comes from the Latin word "fouces" = "mouth of a river", and Mondego comes from the pre-romanic expressions "mond" = "mouth" and "aec"= "river". That means, Figueira da Foz would be "the river’s mouth opening".

Some historical traces show that people were settling in this region since the neolithic age. The oldest kown document, however, dates from the year 1096. In this an abbot named Pedro donates estates, which belonged to the church of S. Julião, to the cathedral Sé Velha of Coimbra.

Knowing the great importance rivers had in the development of cities and of ancient civilisations, the mouth of the Mondego must have played a central role for the fixation of men in this region and for the formation of settlements, which were the beginning of the city of Figueira da Foz. It was elevated to "vila" (small town) on March 12^th, 1771 and turned city on Setember 20^th, 1882.

Discovered as a sea resort by the end of the 19^th century, it gained great reputation in the 20‘s and 30‘s.

Figueira da Foz still shows characteristics of a sea resort, and those who desire to spend their vacation here, are not only able to enjoy the sea, the beach, the Serra, places of relaxation and gastronomy but can also spend their freetime with sightseeing and trips in the surrounding areas.

For those trips we would like to make some suggestions.

Pleasent Holidays and return always.