I made it to the Oliveira square under strong rain, which in a way altered the idea I had of the Padrão do Salado, the rather exquisite Gothic style monument erected in the 14th century to commemorate the victory in the Salado Battle.
Also founded in the 14th century and standing right in front of Padrão do Salado the Church of our Lady of the Olive Tree, which King Dom JoãoI is siad to have had built following the Aljubarota battle victory. I couldn't help walking in and letting myself be taken by the painting of Our Lady right above the main altar.
Once I was out and despite the rain I made my way towards the Castle area along some narrow alleys, which I found to be rather interesting.
My first stop was at the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Braganza with its interior space divided into several rooms, whose ancient furniture and Artistic pieces (namely the tapestry covering the wall of the Banqueting Hall) I was fascinated by. The Hall of the lost Steps was crowned by an interesting roof designed like the interior wooden keel of a boat, which drew visitors' attention almost immediately.
On the last floor there was a succession of rooms and cabinets, as well as a Chapel. I managed to see a rather interesting and particularly well organized temporary exhibition on Medieval torture instruments in the upper room. It provided the visitor with quite a wode variety of different types of instruments (from individual chastity belts, noise making fifes and a pera oral to those to be used publicly, such as the guilhoutine, the Judas' crib, the Iron Maiden or even the interrogation chair).
