On the death of D. Afonso V, when he moved from Óbidos to Batalha, where the funeral ceremonies of the king would be held, D. Leonor, wife of D. João II of Portugal, and his court passed through a group of people who bathed in lame waters, hot and intense sulphurous smell. Curiously, the Queen ordered the carriage to stop and asked the bathers why such a cluster. After the answer that these were healing waters, the queen wanted to experience their effects, for she herself suffered from an evil, and could prove that, in fact, these waters really healed. The council was thus named Caldas da Rainha in his honor.
After this episode, D. Leonor had a hospital built there, and the works were started the following year and a small village was also installed, and measures were made to prosper and evolve. The hospital was named Our Lady of Populo, for it had been built to support the people. It was from this nucleus that the city was born and developed.
In the 19th century the village experienced greater splendor, when the fashion of the thermal resorts arose among the more affluent classes that, in search of treatment, brought wealth to the region.
Due to the abundance of clay, emerged in the same century a series of pottery factories, which made the county one of the main producers of this good. In this area, in addition to the utilitarian aspect, as kitchen crockery, often with a naturalistic character (cabbage leaves, fish, among others), there was another, humorous, caricaturist and erotic character, decorative that, in addition to maintaining the naturalistic theme: the famous talk of Caldas. In this field, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, creator of the figure Zé Povinho, caricature of the typical Portuguese the time stands out.
In addition to ceramics, areas such as painting and sculpture have also gained relevance, which have thrived, transforming the city into an arts center. In the region, embroidery is also renowned, made of linen and dyed by handmade processes.
Currently consisting of 12 parishes, and with an area of 255.87km2, the municipality of Caldas da Rainha is part of the district of Leiria.
Caldas da Rainha remains an important arts center at the national level, and has in the city installed a pole of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria directed to this same area - Higher School of Arts and Design (ESAD).
At the economic level, the tertiary sector, related to retail trade, termal tourism and beaches, stands out. In the secondary sector there is emphasis on the industries of production of porcelain and stoneware, which are added to footwear, clothing, cutlery, furniture, beverages, agro food and graphic arts. Civil construction and public works also have its importance in the region.
From gastronomy, sweets are the strong point of Caldas da Rainhas. The cavacas, backpacks and egg lamprey and kisses stand out. These and other local productions can be enjoyed in The Fruit Square, which takes place every day between 8am and 1pm in Praça da República and is a true spectacle of colors, aromas and flavors.
At the level of access, the municipality has a number of roads that give access to various areas of the country, such as the A8 (Lisbon- Leiria), the A15 (which connects the region to the city of Santarém), the IP6 (which connects the municipality to Peniche, Santarém, Castelo Branco and Spain). In addition to the motorways, Caldas da Rainha also has a series of National Roads that connect you to neighboring municipalities, as well as a network of rail and road transport that allows connection to the country.
Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, the municipality has on its coast several beaches - such as Foz do Arelho, Lagoa de Óbidos and Salir do Porto - suitable for the practice of water and sea sports. For moments of well-being and health, the termal tourism continues to be highlighted in the municipality. Take the opportunity to relax in this amazing county that has so much to offer.
Source: Caldas da Rainha Town Hall