Central Way
Benavente < > Muge
Etapa 16
The Way to Muge passes through Salvaterra de Magos where, among the obligations of its new residents, awarded with a charter by D. Dinis in 1295, was to build a main church. The building was the object of several modernizing campaigns, one of which was in the 16th century, period to which belongs the baptismal font. Damaged by the earthquake of 1755, the reconstruction project of Igreja Matriz de São Paulo integrated azulejo tiles from Lisbon workshops and paintings by the artist Bento Coelho da Silveira. It is a monumental church whose façade was designed to contain two towers that were never built. The tube organ, authored by the most famous organ builder of the time, António Machado and Cerveira, dates from 1825.
Here you can also find the royal palace, of medieval origin, whose Hall was known to have hosted the ceremony of the marriage contract signature between the Infanta D. Beatriz, daughter of D. Fernando I, and King D. João I of Castile, an event that precipitated the revolution of 1383-85. The whole was rebuilt at the beginning of the 16th century by Prince D. Luís, who is credited with the patronage of the Renaissance palatine chapel, enlarged by Filipe I and D. João V. Fairly damaged by fires and demolitions in the 19th century, there only remains a pale image of the splendor the palace used to have, especially in the height of baroque time, when he had an opera house where many shows were performed.Muge was an important site during the Roman period, mainly because of the proximity of Sabugueiro fluvial port, to which a uilla was associated.
The bridge is composed of a large, perfectly round arch, joined
The bridge is composed of a large, perfectly round arch, joined by two other arches, probably built in medieval times. It was an important point of passage for those who were going to the province capital, Scallabis (Santarém).
It was in Paço de Muge that King D. Manuel, in 1496, decreed the expulsion edict of Jewish and Muslim minorities. A locality that belonged to the Dukes of Cadaval, where they build their palace. We can also find here the main church, built at the end of the 13th century by the patron saint of Salvaterra de Magos, and held for centuries by the monastery of Alcobaça. The ensemble evolved into a Baroque temple, as the local Council obliged the monastery to rebuild the building from 1712 presenting a ruin menace. It is a temple of notable urbanistic impact, with a large and monumental façade, to which corresponds an interior of a single nave with two side chapels, where the altarpieces in Joanine wood carving stand out.
Escaroupim
A fishing village by excellence, it was formed in the 30s of the 20th century by fishermen from Vieira beach in Marinha Grande, who took advantage of winter to transfer the fishing activity to the river Tejo. With seasonal use, the village is made up of rudimentary wooden constructions settled in stakes on the river, which guaranteed them protection against floods. Beyond these constructive aspects, the village is distinguished by the gaudy color of the boats and houses.
and also…
Festivities in Honnor of Mártir São Sebastião − August
Muge’s Pottery
Archaeological excavations have discovered traces of a Roman pottery furnace in Muge. Since then, the potter’s wheel didn’t stop. In the typical Muge pottery, everything is executed as in the past: the potter hands knead the clay which, after being molded, is dried and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Sometimes the potters paint the pottery pieces, but the most common in Muge is the glazed clay. Pieces such as water containers, vases, pots, jars, and jugs emerge from the potter’s wheel. In spite of its antiquity, the pottery of Muge continues to develop thanks to the potters’ effort and commitment, contributing to the maintenance of the clay work tradition with their art.
We return to Praça do Município to begin today’s stage and head towards the river on Rua Dr. Ruy Azevedo, along the pleasant garden Jardim da Fateixa, on the Sorraia riverbanks. We cross the river over the white pedestrian bridge, on the right, and continue along the trail in the strip that separates the cultivated lands. We pass under the viaduct of the N118 national road and continue the path through the fields.
Still avoiding the busy and narrow N118 road, we get into the side fields, which may be submerged, thus forcing us to go up back to the road. In any case, 1 km ahead we’ll have to do it, in a dangerous intersection, following on the left through the secondary road to Salvaterra de Magos. If we would choose the right we would find Aldeia do Peixe, about 5 km beside the Sorraia river, a place with many records of the “avieiros” fishermen culture.
At the end of the Estrada do Convento, we enter the village through Rua do Tejo where, right at the entrance, we find the Falcoaria Real (Royal Falconry). If you have time, watch a demonstration of this art, in the sessions that take place regularly. Continuing along Rua do Tejo, we observe a small “marina” and, on the right, we also find the Capela Real (Royal Chapel), from the 17th century, with renovation works during the Rococo period.
Distance 19 km
Maximum altitude 19 km
Cumulative increase 182 km
Cumulative descent -185 km
Duration 4h30m
Difficulty (0-5)2
We pass the bridge over the Vala Real (Royal Valley), which was used to the transport of goods and for the royal family’s boat when they visited this locality. Soon we arrive at the junction that indicates the picturesque village of Escaroupim to the left. Here, we take a break to visit the museum, the stilts port and the old “avieira” houses, preserved in their original state for the tourists.
We leave Escaroupim still on Rua do Tejo, which bifurcates a little further on. We follow the road on the left that takes us to the campsite and continues on a pleasant and fresh path for 4 km through the Escaroupim Forest until a level crossing. Shortly after, we arrive at a crossroad where, turning left, we could go to Ponte Rainha D. Amélia bridge over the Tejo and, from there, intersect with the Path to Santiago coming from Lisbon, by the Tejo river northern bank.
Since this is not our option, we move on to the entrance of Muge, looking for the Parish Council street, where we rush to ask for directions about the available accommodation, which is not abundant around here.
As we explore the village, we can find the Roman bridge of Muge in the north, with 400 m of extension, which served part of the Roman road that used to connect the Alentejo to Santarém. Before the day ends, we rest at Casa Cadaval, an estate with 400 years of history.
TIPS
Always carry water, supplies, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof, comfortable shoes, and a map.
SUPPORT
CTT Post Office
Bank/Cash Dispenser
Escaroupim Camping
+351 263 595 484
PUBLIC ENTITIES
Muge Parish Council
+351 243 581 130
WARNINGS
For questions related to accommodation, please contact the parish council.
Points of Interest
Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church
Nossa Senhora da Glória Chapel
Muge Roman Bridge
Duke’s Palace – Cadaval House
Muge Shell-middens
Rainha D. Amélia Railway Bridge
Muge Pottery
USEFUL CONTACTS
Emergency: 112
Forest Fires: 117
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.
