D. Pedro

The statue of King Pedro I (D. Pedro) in Cascais stands in the middle of town, in front of the town hall and beside Praça 5 de Outubro. It honours the medieval monarch who granted Cascais its town charter. The sculptor was António Duarte, and the work dates from 1964.

Which king is it?

The figure is Pedro I of Portugal (reigned 1357–1367), not Pedro IV, the Portuguese name of the Brazilian emperor Pedro I, whose monuments stand in Lisbon and Porto. Local sources say that on 7 June 1364 the villagers of Cascais asked the king to raise their settlement to the rank of vila, and he agreed. That date underpins the municipal holiday today.

Why was it built in 1964?

The statue belongs to an anniversary. In 1964 Cascais marked six centuries since receiving its charter, and the king's monument became one of the symbols of the celebrations. The council has also devoted an exhibition, "King Pedro I and Inês de Castro – Love and Blood", to the king's ties with the town, and it presents Duarte as the statue's author.

How do you get there?

The statue is in the old centre of Cascais, a few minutes on foot from the bay and the fishing harbour. From Cascais railway station (the line from Lisbon's Cais do Sodré, about 40 minutes) it is a walk of roughly a quarter of an hour. Parking nearby is mostly in paid garages, so the train is the easiest option.

What else is nearby?

• Paços do Concelho, the late 19th-century neo-Manueline town hall, right next to the statue.
• Praça 5 de Outubro, named after the proclamation of the republic in 1910. It began as a market where fishermen sold their catch, then became a fashionable promenade for aristocrats who summered here.
• Cascais Citadel, a fortress from the late 15th century and a former royal residence, now with a hotel section and an art district.
• Cafés, restaurants and shops along the old-town lanes, plus the seafront promenade.

When should you visit?

The statue is in the open and can be seen at any hour without a ticket. Morning and late afternoon give the best photo light. Summer is busy; spring and autumn are calmer. The town holiday falls on 7 June, when ceremonies take place in the centre.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The statue stands in an open public space and can be viewed free at any time.

Is it Pedro I or Pedro IV? It honours Pedro I of Portugal, who gave Cascais its charter in 1364. The emperor Pedro IV has monuments elsewhere, such as Lisbon's Rossio.

Who made the sculpture? António Duarte, a Portuguese sculptor. The work dates from 1964.

How long does a visit take? A few minutes for the statue itself, but combined with the square, citadel and waterfront it makes a walk of about an hour.