Get some exercise with a walk through the village which, though simple and modest, opens its arms to welcome you with typical Portuguese hospitality. Then, at GROTA, take your time — stay a while. There is no rush to leave.
Located on the outskirts of the city of Leiria, on Portugal’s central coast, lies the small village of Fontes, privileged to host within its territory the main spring of the River Lis – the grota.
Fontes is located 10 km south of Leiria, at the foot of the Estremenho Limestone Massif. Resting on limestone formations over 70 million years old, this region has been sculpted by deep geological forces and the action of rainwater over time. This setting gives rise to a karst landscape — full of lapiaz, caves, fissures, and sinkholes. On the surface, the soil appears uneven and rocky; in the depressions, it is fertile and productive. Here, nature is vibrant, complex, and inspiring.
From the slopes of the Serra da Maunça to Senhora do Monte, which surround Fontes, Mediterranean scrubland, vineyards, pine forests, olive groves, and abundant vegetable gardens stretch along the River Lis. The agricultural diversity and the purity of the waters enhance the ecological and aesthetic value of this special place.
The landscape is enriched by a mosaic of sounds, aromas, and colours typical of central Portugal. It is in this balance between geology, water, and human life that Fontes reveals its true character.
Fontes is part of the protected area of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, a region rich in karst formations and biodiversity. It is a land of trails, dirt paths, and outdoor experiences.
The River Lis basin — covering 950 km² — rises in the Serra de Aire and nourishes the region’s soils and aquifers. In winter, it rises powerfully to the surface, but it is underground that its true strength is revealed. That is why it is vital to protect it from threats such as agricultural and urban pollution.
The River Lis has its source at the grota. It flows through Leiria, and continues to Vieira de Leiria along its 39.5 km course, playing an essential role in local life and ecosystems.
