Central Way

Grândola < > Alcácer do Sal

Stage 10

After crossing the river Sado by boat, travelers arriving in Alcácer do Sal would face the narrow line of land between the river and the castle. The strategic relevance of Alcácer’s cliff led to the submission of the locality to the Order of Santiago before 1172 and again in 1217, after the definitive conquest by the Portuguese troops. Between that date and 1235, Alcácer do Sal became the headquarters of the santiaguists in Portugal and, in the following centuries, it was the headquarters structure of the Portuguese spatharii.

In Alcácer do Sal, much of the rich patrimony is associated with this presence as is the case of the friars of Santiago convent, known as meysom d’alcaçar. It was built and benefited in the medieval period and then totally refurbished from 1573, the year in which the structure was adapted to another convent, this time of Aracoeli. The spatharii house had a dormitory, a palace for the knights, a nursing ward, a registry office, a hostel, a cloister and a large zone of silos, in addition to numerous domestic and support areas. There was also a chapel dedicated to St James, a religious space that also served for the friars’ meetings. It still exists, integrated into Pousada de Alcácer hotel.The most monumental church of Alcácer do Sal, Igreja de Santiago, was built by D. João V at the height of Baroque times. In the interior, we are impressed by the blue and white azulejos covering the nave walls, dating from the 20s and 30s of the 18th century and attributed to António de Oliveira Bernardes. There are 14 panels that constitute the most complete Jacobean cycle in tiles, portraying scenes of St James’ apostolic mission in the Iberian Peninsula. In the 80s of the 18th century, the main chapel walls also received azulejo panels illustrating three scenes of the earth and celestial life of Order of Santiago’s friars. In the first panel, Christ gives the spatharii habit to a knight, represented with some companions, preparing to fight the infidels. The third panel reveals this same knight, already deceased, to be received by the Holy Trinity. The altarpiece also contains a representation of Santiago Matamouros, an 18thcentury painting attributed to Pedro Alexandrino, in which the apostle crushes his enemies under the admired gaze of two Christian soldiers.

Alcácer do Sal

Alcácer do Sal

 

Another church, of Nosso Senhor dos Mártires (Our Lord of Martyrs), was of great importance to the Jacobean friars. Probably built in the 13th century, several private funeral chapels were associated with it in the following times. The oldest is the one of the treasury, annexed to the main chapel, but the most monumental date from the 30s and is known as the Capela dos Mestres (Masters Chapel) because it was designed to receive the masters of the Order of Santiago’s burials. The most recent date from the 15th century and is known as Capela de Maria de Resende. The church also exhibits a very deteriorated mural painting with the representation of Santiago Matamouros and the shrine’s backyard, a rural area for vines cultivation, locally known as “A Peregrina” (The Pilgrim). The church was the object of important pilgrimages, to the point of having houses for pilgrims, who still exist on the southern side of the temple.

Igreja Matriz de Alcácer do Sal

Main Church of Alcácer do Sal
Built in the 13th century, it is the oldest church of Alcácer do Sal, and its portals are still connoted with Romanesque aesthetics. The main façade also preserves an insignia of the Order of Santiago, made up of the spatharian cross accompanied by two scallops, the gourd, and the staff, symbols of the Jacobean pilgrims. In the interior, the late Gothic image of the apostle is preserved, offered to the chapel of Santiago of the friars of Santiago’s palace, by master D. Jorge de Lencastre, after 1512.

 

and also…

October’s New Fair − October

Senhor dos Mártires Festival − September

Sado Flavours Festival

In July, Alcácer do Sal is the scene of the Sado Flavours Festival festival that combines gastronomy with a pilgrimage and procession on the river Sado, in honor of Nossa Senhora do Castelo. Maritime delicacies, river shrimp sale, concerts, and dances on the southern shore, delight the visitors.

etapa-10-central

Today we will perform the most extensive stage of the Central Path in Alentejo and Ribatejo, 33 km, but the previous days have already prepared us for this challenge. In any case, you will always have the option of interrupting the trip in the village of Vale de Guiso, after traveling 21 km from Grândola. However, we advise you to call in advance the Baracinha establishment, the only one in that village that can give you the support you need, as well as guaranteeing you the short river crossing of the Sado river, which is essential to continue the route to Alcácer do Sal.

We leave Grândola by going down the long Avenida Jorge Nunes to the railway station and, crossing the line, we turn left towards Aldeia do Futuro. We pass the small village and we continue along long stretches of road that becomes more and more sandy , with Vale do Guiso as destination. The landscape, first a rural mosaic of small farms with diverse cultures, changes to a typical pastureland hill accompanied by some pine forests. We cross the first stream at the on a small weir, before crossing the viaduct over the A2 motorway after 5.5 km. The vegetation thickens with the accompaniment of successive streams and the trail becomes less monotonous, but even so, there are no major reasons worth mentioning, with the exception of the sand that hampers our progress. We can enjoy watching the birds among the riparian vegetation until we see the small village of Vale do Guiso, where we are welcomed by the isolated and grandiose Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte. We enter this 16thcentury baroque church, to admire the carvings, paintings and the work of blue and white azulejos, portraying the life of Our Lady. With an adventurous spirit, we scare away some storks as we climb the stairs of the bell tower. The eyes explore the landscape over the village of Arêz and the famous rice paddies that accompany the river Sado.

Distance 33,1 km


Maximum altitude 107 m


Cumulative increase 307 m


Cumulative descent -412 m


Duration 8h15m


Difficulty (0-5) 3

Stage 10

We go down to the river and have lunch just nearby, where we consider continuing to Alcácer do Sal or staying at this same place in Guiso… Deciding to continue the Path, we ask Mr. Baracinha to transport us on the short river crossing. On the other side of the bank, between the rice paddies, mountains and dams, we follow 8.5 km until we reach the premises of Herdade da Barrosinha. This estate produces good wines and olive oils, and through its land, we find wild boars, woodcocks and partridges, which can be served to us in the property’s restaurant. We leave Barrosinha to Alcácer do Sal along the N5 national road, passing under the A2 motorway viaduct and, through Rua da Foz, we continue along the marginal road until Largo Luís de Camões. There, we find the kiosk where is installed the local Tourism Office, to help us in what we need for today. Just next door we can find the metal bridge over the Sado, a copy of Gustave Eiffel’s style that has served the inhabitants of Alcácer since 1945.

TIPS

Always carry water, supplies, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof, comfortable shoes, and a map.

WHERE TO SLEEP

 O Baracinha +351 265 637 158

SUPPORT

 Bank/Cash Dispenser

  Supermarket

 

PUBLIC ENTITIES

 Alcácer do Sal City Council
+351 265 601 040

HEALTH

 Alcácer do Sal Health Center
+351 265 610 500

 Pharmacy

Points of Interest

 Santo António Church and 11 Mil Virgens Chapel

 Senhor dos Mártires Sanctuary

 Santiago Church

 Santa Maria do Castelo Church

 Nossa Senhora de Aracoelli Convent and Convent and Church

 Alcácer do Sal Castle

USEFUL CONTACTS

Emergency: 112
Forest Fires: 117
Grândola Fire department: +351 269 498 450
GNR − National Republican Guard: +351 269 242 600

CODE OF CONDUCT

Do not leave the marked and signaled route. Do not approach cliffs. Pay attention to the markings. Do not dispose of organic or inorganic waste during the trail, take a bag for this purpose. If you see garbage, collect it, help us to keep the Paths clean. Beware of livestock, don’t bother the animals. Leave Nature intact. Do not collect plants, animals or rocks. Avoid making noise. Respect private property, close gates and barriers. Don’t light fires and be careful with cigarettes. Do not vandalize the Paths signage.