Rua Direita (Straight Street) is crooked, the bells are located outside the Cathedral, and the river flows backwards – that’s just the way things are in Leiria!

They call it Rua Direita because it runs straight from Cândido dos Reis square, the old Palace Square, to the city’s main church – the Cathedral.

However, local stories passed down from generation to generation in Leiria serve as proof that this street, originally called Barão de Viamonte Street, has a fair few twists and turns, making it very special.

As you walk down numerous alleys, stairs and past nooks, which wind down from the castle and spread through the city, you’ll be greeted with picturesque treasures at every turn.

This street, known for historically having been linked with the city’s traditional traders, has gradually regained the hustle and bustle of days long gone.

Today, it shines with the contagious joy of those who populate it, their voices echoing off walls painted by the city’s artists.