Central Way - via Tagus
Vila Franca de Xira (Lisboa) < > Azambuja
Stage 1 - Via Tagus
The origin of Azambuja possibly dates back to the 3rd century BC, when the Romans invaded the Iberian Peninsula. At the time, they called it Oleastrum (olive tree oil), probably for being very rich in olive oil and having a strong production of it.
Later, inhabited by the Arabs, it was named Azzabuja, meaning wild olive grove, which leads us to think that perhaps the “Roman” olive trees no longer existed.
In 1147, Azambuja was reconquered to the Arabs by D. Afonso Henriques, who gave it to D. Childre Rolim as a reward for his heroism and for deviating himself from the Crusade to the Holy Land to help him in the Siege of Lisbon. D. Childre Rolim populated it and named it Vila Franca. However, the village lost its name after a short time. D. Childre or D. Xira (as he was also known) was later the founder of Vila Franca de Xira and, after moving to the new site, with the purpose of construction and settlement, the village had to resort to the old name attributed by the Arabs, becoming known as Azambuja.The village of Azambuja was granted a charter by D. Sancho I in 1200, confirmed by D. Afonso II in 1218. In 1513 it had a new charter passed by D. Manuel.
In 1531, due to an earthquake of great magnitude, Vila de Azambuja was badly damaged. Azambuja is connected to the Tejo by means of the so-called Vala Real de Azambuja, a ditch which comprises an extension of 26 km, built by Marquês de Pombal in 1748 with the purpose of irrigating fields.
In the south, the countryside is characterized by the fertile and verdant plains of the Lezírias (marshlands), by the horses and herds of wild cattle, which leads Azambuja to be closely linked to the world of bullfighting – the “Festa Brava”. In the north, the dominant economic activity is agriculture: intensive and familyoriented polyculture.
In addition to the great importance of the primary sector in the commune’s development of the county, Azambuja has become heavily industrialized. Benefiting from its exceptional location and excellent accessibility, namely the A1 and the railways, it has attracted investment from accredited companies, both nationally and internationally, which foster the economic and social development of the region, mainly through job creation.
Palácio das Obras Novas/Vala Real
Main Church of Azambuja
The church was built in the middle of the 16th century, a period to which correspond the main and lateral portals, both Mannerists. The main chapel, especially its vault, still recalls Manueline influences, with broad ribs and keystones. The church has the particularity of having the south lateral portal more monumental than the western since it’s the one facing the main square of the village. The essence of its filling dates from a period of about 100 years, between the end of the 16th century and the end of the following century. The Tree of Jesse, placed in the altarpiece of Our Lady of the Rosary, dates from 1595. The canvas referring to the Calvário (Calvary) is attributed to the workshop of the painter André Reinoso. Also worthy of note is the 17th-century azulejo flooring and the proto-baroque altarpiece dating from 1686 and done by the engraver Manuel da Fonseca.
Since the beginning of your journey, in Vila Nova da Rainha, you must have noticed a profusion of blue arrows alongside the yellow ones that signal the Caminho de Santiago. And, when you find the first signpost of the Way you will notice that there is also another mark, the Caminho de Fátima, here the one of Tejo. In fact, up to Santarém, the pilgrims’ journey to the Santuário de Fátima coincides with the one to Santiago. So, you will certainly have fellow Way travelers, particularly in May and October, during which, on the 13th of each of these months, the most important celebrations take place.
Parisch Church of Santa Marta – Vila Nova da Rainha
The legend says that it was in this church that D. Nuno Álvares Pereira married Leonor de Alvim on August 15, 1376. The church must date from the 13th century, at the time in which the village began to gain importance in the royal itineraries from Lisbon to the north. The current temple is the result of a reconstruction carried out in the Baroque period, possibly following the earthquake of 1755, as the main façade denounces. In the interior, the long blue and white azulejo cycle, from the second half of the 18h century, depicting scenes from the life and legend of Santa Marta, stands out.
and also…
ÁVINHO − Wine and Taverns Festival − April
Snail Festival − June
Centennial May Fair
The May Fair is the great banner of Azambuja’s identity and visibility. Fruit of a persistent socioeconomic rebirth and a constant socio-cultural re-creation, the Fair is recognized as the most popular of Ribatejo for its popular involvement.The event is the cultural celebration of a community and people who has Tauromachy inscribed in its identity and cultural matrix. It is now a place and moment of conviviality and sociability, annually shared by Azambuja with thousands of visitors.
“The Tejo unites different feelings, as if it wanted to be the elder of a large family that everyone admires and respects.” (Francisco Hipólito Raposo, “Ribatejo”)
The Tejo is also the link that unites the regions of Lisbon and Ribatejo, guiding us along the Lezírias do Tejo (Tagus marshlands) to the small town of Vila Nova da Rainha, which is “da Rainha” (of the Queen) because it was in Santa Marta Main Church that king D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Countable, who was largely responsible for the independence of the Portuguese Kingdom, got married in the 14th century.
We pass the only bridge over two rivers (Ota and Alenquer) in Portugal and enter the village at lunchtime, where the perfect symbiosis between the marshland and the Tejo river takes the form of a typical “Caldeirada à Fragateiro” (fish dish), accompanied by good bread and wine. But we mainly remember a surprising and unique Chèvre cheese, produced nearby in the village of Maçussa!
We leave the village crossing the busy road N3 towards the railway halt and, following the Avenida Gago Coutinho, we see on the left the wide terrain where the national aviation cradle was once located, inaugurated in 1915. In this Aviation School of Vila Nova da Rainha, Sacadura Cabral was a pilot instructor and later, in 1922 together with Gago Coutinho, he would make the first air crossing of the South Atlantic to Brazil!
After the railway station, with the city of Azambuja on the horizon, we follow the railway line, an occasion to enjoy the Tejo alluvial valleys, and the abundant bird life with the Stork and the famous Royal Heron well represented.
The trail that takes us to Azambuja ends by passing under the railway viaduct and we return to the N3 road, arriving right at the southern entrance of Azambuja, a city with centuries of history. Turn left at the intersection and follow Avenida de Valverde.
It was here that the Comendadeira do Mosteiro (Monastery Commander) de Santos da Ordem de Santiago da Espada, built the Igreja da Confraria de Nossa Senhora do Paraíso church, in 1555.
This stage finishes in the Praça do Município, an ample square topped by the church of the patron saint Nossa Senhora da Assunção, where the most diverse local festivities take place.
Tips
Always carry water, supplies, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof, comfortable shoes, and a map.
Where to Eat
Pastelaria Arcada, Azambuja
Support
CTT Post Office
Bank/Cash Dispenser
Tourism Office +351 263 400 476
Táxis
Public Entities
Azambuja City Council
+351 263 400 400
Azambuja Parish Council
+351 263 402 647
Vila Nova da Rainha Parish Council
+351 263 853 360
Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Azambuja
+351 263 418 602
Health
Azambuja Health Center
+351 263 407 60
Pharmacy
Points of Interest
São Sebastião Chapel
Senhor Jesus da Misericórdia Church
Santa Maria das Virtudes Church and Convent
Nossa Senhora da Assunção de Azambuja Main Church
Sebastião Mateus Arenque Municipal Museum
Azambuja Library
Industrial Chimney in the Urban Garden
Aviation Panels, Vila Nova da Rainha
Azambuja Pillory
Azambuja Landmark
Lezíria Ribatejana (Marshland)
Tagus River
Vala Real
USEFUL CONTACTS
Emergency: 112
Forest Fires: 117
Azambuja Fire Department:+351 263 401 144
GNR − Azambuja Territorial Station: +351 263 418 841
Vila Nova da Rainha Civil Protection:+351 263 403 720
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.
