It is located in the parish of Atouguia da Baleia, Municipality of Peniche, in the Oeste region and District of Leiria, Central Portugal
The Atouguia da Baleia Interpretive Center aims to study and enhance the municipality's historical and cultural heritage, providing an integrated view of the Historic Region of Atouguia da Baleia.
The Center encompasses knowledge from diverse scientific areas ranging from geology, paleontology, archaeology, history, human geography and anthropology.
Its management is carried out by three entities: Municipality of Peniche, Parish Council of Atouguia da Baleia and Fábrica da Igreja Paroquial (Parish of São Leonardo de Atouguia da Baleia).
The project is made up of contributions from the people of the parish and the municipality, it involved the rehabilitation of a historic building in the church of S. José and the construction of the annex building that is the headquarters of the center.
From the year 2007 onwards, work such as the study, conservation and enhancement of heritage integrated or to be integrated into a museum space has been carried out.
Among these works, the work on the Altarpiece of the Main Altar of the Church of S. José stands out, the Participatory Inventory of Cultural Heritage project which, with the support of communities and populations, allowed greater knowledge of the cultural matrix and heritage of Atouguiense.
The Heritage of Atouguia da Baleia highlights the ruins of the Castle of Atouguia da Baleia, Forte da Praia da Consolação, Church of São Leonardo or Main Church of Atouguia da Baleia, the Cruzeiro de Atouguia da Baleia, Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Atouguia da Baleia), the Pillory of Atouguia da Baleia and Fonte de Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
The ruins of the Atouguia da Baleia Castle are located in the parish and town of Atouguia da Baleia, in the municipality of Peniche.
At the mouth of the São Domingos river, the ancient village of Tauria (herds of wild bulls in the region) was one of the most important ports on the Portuguese coast in the Middle Ages, having received several charters.
In the context of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, he was granted the domains of Tauria (town and countryside) in recognition of the assistance he provided in the conquest of that city (1158).
During the reign of D. Dinis (1279-1325) Atouguia had an annual fair on the day of his patron Saint Leonardo (6 November) reaching the peak of its maritime movement where fishing activity developed into shipbuilding.
The Praia da Consolação Fort was built on the initiative of D. Jerónimo de Ataíde, 6th Count of Atouguia and Lord of Peniche in 1641 to reinforce the defense of the southern cove of Peniche, the work was completed in 1645 but underwent expansion works in 1665.
The Church of São Leonardo de Atouguia da Baleia or parish church of Atouguia da Baleia or main church of Atouguia da Baleia (late 13th century; 14th century) is located in Largo de São Leonardo, Atouguia da Baleia, municipality of Peniche.
The Church of São Leonardo de Atouguia da Baleia features a religious building with Roman-Gothic characteristics, some Manueline and Mannerist elements and has been classified as a National Monument since 1949.
The Center encompasses knowledge from diverse scientific areas ranging from geology, paleontology, archaeology, history, human geography and anthropology.
Its management is carried out by three entities: Municipality of Peniche, Parish Council of Atouguia da Baleia and Fábrica da Igreja Paroquial (Parish of São Leonardo de Atouguia da Baleia).
The project is made up of contributions from the people of the parish and the municipality, it involved the rehabilitation of a historic building in the church of S. José and the construction of the annex building that is the headquarters of the center.
From the year 2007 onwards, work such as the study, conservation and enhancement of heritage integrated or to be integrated into a museum space has been carried out.
Among these works, the work on the Altarpiece of the Main Altar of the Church of S. José stands out, the Participatory Inventory of Cultural Heritage project which, with the support of communities and populations, allowed greater knowledge of the cultural matrix and heritage of Atouguiense.
The Heritage of Atouguia da Baleia highlights the ruins of the Castle of Atouguia da Baleia, Forte da Praia da Consolação, Church of São Leonardo or Main Church of Atouguia da Baleia, the Cruzeiro de Atouguia da Baleia, Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Atouguia da Baleia), the Pillory of Atouguia da Baleia and Fonte de Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
The ruins of the Atouguia da Baleia Castle are located in the parish and town of Atouguia da Baleia, in the municipality of Peniche.
At the mouth of the São Domingos river, the ancient village of Tauria (herds of wild bulls in the region) was one of the most important ports on the Portuguese coast in the Middle Ages, having received several charters.
In the context of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, he was granted the domains of Tauria (town and countryside) in recognition of the assistance he provided in the conquest of that city (1158).
During the reign of D. Dinis (1279-1325) Atouguia had an annual fair on the day of his patron Saint Leonardo (6 November) reaching the peak of its maritime movement where fishing activity developed into shipbuilding.
The Praia da Consolação Fort was built on the initiative of D. Jerónimo de Ataíde, 6th Count of Atouguia and Lord of Peniche in 1641 to reinforce the defense of the southern cove of Peniche, the work was completed in 1645 but underwent expansion works in 1665.
The Church of São Leonardo de Atouguia da Baleia or parish church of Atouguia da Baleia or main church of Atouguia da Baleia (late 13th century; 14th century) is located in Largo de São Leonardo, Atouguia da Baleia, municipality of Peniche.
The Church of São Leonardo de Atouguia da Baleia features a religious building with Roman-Gothic characteristics, some Manueline and Mannerist elements and has been classified as a National Monument since 1949.
