Cultural Exploration in Cascais: Study Visit for the Postgraduate Program in Cultural Tourism

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, students from the Postgraduate Program in Cultural Tourism at the Estoril Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHTE) participated in a study visit to Cascais, integrated into the Immersive Laboratory for Tourism course. The main objective of the initiative was the analysis and interpretation of cultural landscapes, as well as an understanding of the historical, urban, and heritage evolution of the town.

 

The day began at Casa Sommer – Cascais Municipal Archive, where the group was received by Dr. João Miguel Henriques. During the guided tour of the archive, participants had the opportunity to explore the exhibition "Soldiers of Peace: History(ies) of the Municipality's Firefighters," which allowed them to understand the historical, social, and community importance of the firefighters' activity in the Cascais territory.

 

The itinerary continued at Chalet Ficalho, a recently restored summer house converted into a guesthouse. The owner, Dr. Maria Chaves, led a guided tour, explaining the architectural and heritage restoration process of the building, which was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Heritage Restoration – Teresa and Vasco Vilalva in 2023.

 

After lunch, the group went to the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, where a guided tour by Dr. Fábio Esteves allowed them to explore the artistic, documentary, and architectural collection of this landmark of Cascais' heritage, as well as its relevance in the local cultural context.

 

The visit ended at the Cascais Village Museum, located in the Town Hall. Here, participants deepened their knowledge of the historical evolution of the village, from its origins to the present, through carefully organized collections and narratives.