Caminho Central

Santo Estevão < > Samora Correia< >Benavente

Stage 15

Samora Correia owes its name to D. Paio Peres Correia, conqueror of much of southern Portugal in the first half of the 13th century and Grand Master of the Order of Santiago.The locality was a Santiago commendation since, at least, 1270. The configuration of the main church is the result of a great reconstruction campaign, begun in 1718 and completed very quickly. The interior was coated with azulejos dated from c. 1724 and attributed to the Lisbon Master PMP. These tiles are one of the most complete iconographic projects dedicated to the life and apostolic legend of St James in the Iberian Peninsula, pilgrim and preacher who baptized his tormentor Josiah, converted Hermogenes, and defeated a group of masons who built a church (probably a pagan temple) contrary to the Church norms.

The fountain of Santiago evokes the vanished Igreja de Santiago church, destroyed by the earthquake of 1909, that used to mark the village riverside front for centuries. The fountain was built in 1967 and has a niche with an image of St James on the main face, and the rear face is decorated with a commemorative inscription of the building and a cross of the Order of Santiago.

Igreja Matriz de Samora Correia

Main Church of Samora Correia

 

Municipality Fountain

Possibly dating from the time of the village foundation, this fountain of Medieval construction was the object of several renovations. Despite that, it still preserves its original pointed arch that used to give access to a vaulted brick construction. In the 18th century, it was said that its waters were indicated for eye treatments.

In the village, there is also the Misericórdia de Samora Correia, which originates from an ancient chapel of Espírito Santo (Holy Spirit), possibly built in the transition to the 16th century. The church’s current feature is the result of a deep reconstructive campaign completed in the 18th century. The main altarpiece dates from this period, integrating a painting with the theme of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin to St Elizabeth (because visiting the sick is a mercy work), the throne of the Confraria do Espírito Santo’s brothers, who continued to manage the institution, and wooden sculpture of Our Lady of Mercy. The Misericórdia had an attached hospital, which is still recognizable in the surrounding architectural complex, and used to serve as a support for travelers passing by the village.

 

 

 

Museu Municipal de Benavente

Municipal Museum of Benavente
Gathering a range of reference collections in the area of agricultural machinery, costume, photography, ceramics, and traditional crafts, the Municipal Museum was inaugurated in July 1980, housing a vast ethnographic collection gathered over some 40 years. It is housed in a former 18th century dwelling house and has a museological archive of twenty thousand pieces.

 

and also…

Procession to São Baco, Convent of Jericó − May

Coutada Velha’s Festival − June

Festival in Honnor of N.ª Sr.ª da Paz − August

Annual Fair and “Taverns” − September

“Carolino” Rice Festival

In May, Benavente celebrates the “carolino” rice of Ribatejo marchlands, in a festival where the gastronomy has, of course, a prominent place. At Praça do Arroz you can attend showcookings and tastings, and try out the many different dishes that share the main ingredient: the rice. Apart from the festival area, there are several restaurants that include at least one dish with “carolino” rice on the menu.

etapa-15-central

We finish reinforcing our supplies in the small Mercado de Santo Estevão market, in the central street, as we have ahead a quest of 15 km until Samora Correia, through the middle of the endless marsh of the Almansor river. If a hot day is foreseeable, it is advisable to do this stage in the early morning. The temperature can reach unbearable levels, and the only shadow we will find will be the one projected by the motorway viaduct under which we’ll have to pass.

At the end of the street is the old church Igreja de Santo Estevão. Before arriving there, next to the wall of a white and blue manor house, we cross the indicated door and access the dirt track of Monte Novo de Santo Estevão property, crossing the river. We follow the Path to the right, passing through the estate’s agricultural facilities, until we find a wicket door on the property’s fence, giving access to the domains of Companhia das Lezírias. From here there is no doubt. We must continue straight ahead on the main road, through the middle of the partially flooded marsh, with the exclusive company of flocks of a diversity of birds. Somewhere, hidden in the middle of the vegetation of a strategic hill on the left bank, is the Fortim de S. João Baptista de Belmonte blockhouse, an outpost of the Knights of Santiago, dated 1207.

 

Distance 26,2 km


Maximum altitude 22 km


Cumulative increase 211 km


Cumulative descent -209 km


Duration 6h30m


Difficulty (0-5) 3

Stage 15

Finally, the marsh curves to the right and the Path too, going straight to the street that accesses the suburbs of Samora Correia, an old and prosperous village and hunting area for the nobility, dedicated to D. Paio Peres Correia, Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. We walk along the Estrada do Brejo and, after Rua do Trabalho, we find the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira church, where we admire the iconography, the frescoes and azulejo panels dedicated to Saint James’ life in Portugal. In the same square of Portuguese cobbled pavement is the old Palácio do Infantado, from the 17th century which, after being burnt, was adapted into a museum and library.

We leave the city through Rua do Povo Livre and, in the end, we continue on the left until we reach the Sorraia riverbank, which we’ll follow until Benavente, arriving by the north entrance, at Rua Dr. Manuel Velho Cabral Calheiros. On the left, we discover traces of the walls that used to protect the village from the river floods, and the Cruz do Calvário (Calvary’s Cross), from 1644. A few meters ahead, we discover a niche with the image of Santiago and the Order’s Cross, in the Fountain of Santiago. We finish this stage in the square of the Municipality of Benavente, next to which are the Tourism services.

TIPS

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

SUPPORT

CTT Post Office

 Bank/Cash Dispenser

 Samora Correia +351 963 053 622

 Benavente +351 963 050 030

 Supermarket

WHERE TO EAT

 Restaurant Boa Viagem, Samora Correia

 Restaurant O Lagar, Samora Correia

 Restaurant Montagreste, Benavente

PUBLIC ENTITIES

 Benavente City Council
+351 263 519 600

HEALTH

 Benavente Health Center +351 263 516 775

 Pharmacy

Points of Interest

 Samora Correia Main Church

 Misericórdia de Benavente church

 Jericó Convent, Benavente

 Infantado Palace, Samora Correia

 Concelho Fountain, Samora Correia

 Calvary Wayside Cross, Benavente

 Benavente Pillory

 Benavente Agricultural Museum Nucleus

 Fields/Wheat Fields Biotope

 Montados de Quercíneas (Plantations)

 Alluvial Valleys

 Stone Pine Zones

USEFUL CONTACTS

Emergency: 112
Forest Fires: 117
Benavente Fire Department:+351 263 519 790
Samora Correia Fire Department:+351 263 651 122
GNR Samora Correia − National Republican Guard: +351 263 650 020

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.