Leg 5 of Rally Portugal 2007 takes the fleet to Oeiras, a new marina that was opened just last year and gives excellent access by public transport to Lisbon as well as being situated in a delightful little town.
Oeiras Yachting Harbour (or Porto de Recreio de Oeiras to give it its proper name) is a purpose built marina with excellent facilities. Although small, it has a relaxing commercial area with bars, restaurants and shops just a few feet from where the boats will be moored. A few minutes walk from the marina takes you to the centre of Oeiras where there is some lovely architecture, sights and restaurants.
The parish dates back to the year 1208, when the area was settled by Christians from the north of Portugal. The municipality was founded in 1759 by the Marquês of Pombal, as a reward granted by king Jose I to his minister for having reconstructed downtown Lisbon after the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. Here he built a magnificent manor-house, the Palácio Marquês de Pombal, which still exhibits grand stone staircases, statues, splendid tiles and beautiful gardens with cascades and an aqueduct with arches.
Oeiras was once part of a defensive line of maritime fortresses built along the Lisbon coast between the 16th and 17th centuries, including the Saint Lawrence Fort (known as Bugio, rising on a tiny islet in the middle of the River Tagus) and the São Julião da Barra Fort just next to the marina, both examples of the Renaissance military architecture.
Oeiras offers a range of new attractions and sites of interest, from the Fábrica da Pólvora (a former gunpowder factory from the 16th century which has been restored for leisure and cultural purposes) to the Poets Park (a vast green space with statues of Portuguese poets and writers) and the Palace of the Royal Estate at Caxias, dating from the 18th century and surrounded by wonderful gardens.
Rally participants will have an opportunity to visit all of these places on a guided tour organised by the Camara de Oeiras.