Nestled within the rolling hills of central Portugal, Óbidos is a town where time seems to pause. Enclosed by 14th-century stone walls and crowned by a Moorish castle, this once-royal village has roots stretching back to the Celts, Romans, and Moors. Its name, derived from the Latin oppidum (fortified city), reflects its long-standing role as a strategic and cultural stronghold. Gifted to Queen Isabel in 1282, Óbidos became known as the “Town of the Queens,” a title that echoes through its cobbled lanes and whitewashed facades 

Yet Óbidos is far from frozen in time. Today, it thrives as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, where medieval churches have been transformed into bookshops and cultural hubs 

This blend of preservation and innovation makes it a compelling subject for modern photography. Using the Canon EOS R5 and a drone, I explored the town’s layered textures from the intricate azulejos of the Porta da Vila to the sweeping aerial views of terracotta rooftops and ancient ramparts. Capturing Óbidos through contemporary tools allowed me to highlight the contrast between enduring heritage and the evolving ways we see and share it