Visiting Benedita – mainly for business
Visiting Benedita – mainly for businessBenedita was, in several years of the second half of last century, the village with the higher growth in the world.
That stopped near the end of the century, somewhere between a small city and a big village, with prosperous industry mixed with fading projects, but always with a great vitality.
It is not a touristy destination, but a place where you may go to a convenient business, or to join the lively youth.
The wonders of Benedita
There is a very old rivalry between this village and Turquel. Until the decade of 1960, this was a poor village, even smaller than Turquel. Then, with the support of a wise priest, Benedita started growing, becoming for several years, the fastest growing place in Europe.
Turquel stood behind, and rivalry gave place to some envy. Times have changed, Benedita slowed down, Turquel got some development too, and now both places tend to live together, sharing space and opportunities.
However… rivalry makes part of cultural heritage!
So, if you don’t mind, as a good citizen of Turquel, I’m pleased to show you in the top of this text the most beautiful picture of this wonderful village.
The other beauties
I was kidding!
Benedita has several wonderful things: a road to Turquel is the top of them, but you may go further, climb the mountain of Candeeiros, and from the top you will have nice views over Turquel, with Alcobaça, Nazaré and the sea in background.
PS – The fun will be confined to this intro. I promise that I will treat this place as seriously as every other place in all that I will write from now.
The church
The most noticeable area of Benedita is the church and the surrounding buildings.
All of them modern and common, they are the signs of the great progress in the recent decades.
Costa Brava
Costa Brava
Remember this name
Great! Absolutely great!
Open for several decades as a restaurant for truck drivers and other drivers searching for a quick and cheap meal, this restaurant was converted, betting now in quality. In my last visit, it was perfect – originality, excellent taste, regular portions, kind service, and moderate prices.
Favorite Dish: Vitela na Pucara ( Veal in a pot – the cabbage… oh, the cabbage…), Bacalhau com Grão (Codfish), Mixed Grill
Address: IC2 or “Estrada Nacional 1” in Benedita
O Vieira
O Vieira
Family food
In the outskirts of Benedita, near IC2, I use it quite often for a family meal. It serves home made food, with good quality and a reasonable price. The only drawback is, in the most “familiar” days, the noise of excited kids.
Favorite Dish: Posta Mirandesa
Bacalhau à Lagareiro
Picanha
Address: Charneca Casal do Guerra Phone: 262929936
Directions: IC2, from south, after Venda das Raparigas, and the turns to Benedita, about km 83.5 turn right (signposted)
Serrazina
Family or business
Located in IC2, a few kilometers south of town, and close to Venda das Raparigas, this is a very interesting restaurant for a reasonable meal well priced. The food respects Portuguese traditions and is well elaborated.
Trying to attract people passing by, it is also a restaurant were people go expressly to a trustful lunch or dinner.
The decoration, following the “traditional” pattern is discreet and well conceived.
Address: IC2
Bars
Night in Benedita
Benedita has several bars.
As a hub of the regional education system, hundreds of students (and other) gather in weekends in and around bars, in a lively night.
The top of the nightly events happens during Carnival – Monday night, thousands fill all the streets in the centre of town to a parade, and the amusement continues all night long.
