 Marinha Grande and the art of the glass
The city of Marinha Grande grew up under the culture of the glass.
The city and surrounding areas are known by its industry of the glass and the mould.
With about 9.130 inhabitants, Marinha Grande was declared city in 1988.
The council is implanted in an extensive plain of sandy ground and of gravel surrounded by immense forests of pine trees among the majestic “Pinhal of Leiria”, also known by “Wood of the King”.
The Real Factory of Glasses and the King's Pinhal constitute the main motors of the economic, demographic and social development of Marinha Grande.
As the glass is part of the culture of Marinha Grande, one of the main tourist points of the council is the Angolan Portuguese Factory of Glasses. The factory today known by "Angolan" was created in 1920 as "Sociedade Vidreira Lusitana".
It closed in 1952, reopening two years later with the designation that has now. Starting from 1957, it just worked as grocery store. It served, recently, as reservation and workshop for restoring pieces destined to the Museum of the Glass.
Another point to explore is the “Taibner de Morais Santos Barosa” house, also denominated Palace of Barosa or Museum “Joaquim Correia”, who was a teacher and sculptor, born in 1920 in a family of artists glaziers. The Museum “Joaquim Correia” was inaugurated on December 5, 1997 and it is located in the Square October 5.
The building that was residence of Guilherme and João Diogo Stephens houses the famous Museum of the Glass. The House “Alpendrada” in the “Ilídio de Carvalho's” Largo and the Cruise of the Independence are other tourist marks of Marinha Grande.
But for who prefers the contact with the nature, it is obligatory to visit the “Parque do Engenho”.
In that place, between 1724 and 1774, a mill of wood used to work. In the end it gave the name to the park and to the place. In the enclosure there are several forest species, what makes this place very appreciated. In the future, the park will welcome the National Museum of the Forest and a hotel of four stars.
In the summer, the coast of Marinha Grande is very busy, as well as their well known beaches:
Beach of “Concha”
Beach of Vieira
Beach of “Pedras Negras”
Beach of "Sao Pedro de Moel"
Beach “Velha”
Marinha Grande, Moita and Vieira de Leiria are part of the council of Marinha Grande.
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