Eastern Way

Cabeço de Vide < > Alter do Chão

Stage 15

On the way to Alter do Chão we pass by Alter Pedroso, which was granted a charter in 1216. The castle was probably erected from that date, possibly on the initiative of the Order of Avis, in whose possessions the town was established. The evolution of the works in the following decades is unknown, except that, in 1662, in the midst of the war between Portugal and Spain, the fortress was totally depleted and was devastated by the invading troops. Very little remains of the fortification, limited to traces of the wall, which formed an originally elliptical perimeter, and the main access door to the interior, of Gothic profile. Inside the enclosure, there are also remains of a primitive church dedicated to St Benedict, whose image can now be found in the church of Nossa Senhora das Neves. There is also a cistern, certainly medieval, and the local cemetery, which was deactivated in the 19th century, and must have been built over the medieval parish necropolis.

Already in Alter do Chão, founded as a municipality in 1232 during the reign of D. Sancho II, we find the Chafariz dos Bonecos, build 1799 by the initiative of the local Council, which also promoted the arrival of the water to the tank. It is a
fountain with a monumental backboard, tripartite, with a central axis in two different registers, the upper one well decorated with cartouches including allusive inscriptions to the construction, and a rococo style medallion, with the effigy of the prince regent D. João (future D. João VI).

The first Franciscan friars arrived to Alter do Chão in 1614 and occupied what was to become the convent of Santo António in 1617, after the monastery was founded by D. Teodósio II, Duke of Bragança. The convent grew in importance and heritage and has been the object of grandiose works in the 19th century.

At that time,convent wings were added, devotional elements were renewed inside the church and the chapel of Senhor dos Passos was inaugurated. The church has a single nave, preceded by a closed narthex and a monumental façade of three registers, the last of which is purely decorative and designed to reinforce the verticality of the frontage. Inside, the main altarpiece stands out, in white and black marble. After the extinction of religious orders in 1834, the convent was sold by public auction and housed a factory. Today, it is converted into a hotel unit.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Neves

Church of Nossa Senhora das Neves
Build in the 19th century on a salient rocky outcrop, the church was substantially transformed in the 17th and 18th centuries. The main façade is austere, with a round-arched doorway perfectly overlaid by a vertical window, while on the south side stands a robust bell tower. The interior is of a unique nave, and coffered ceiling. The main altarpiece is still from the end of the 17th century, while the lateral altarpieces, which flank the triumphal arch, are already from the following century.

 

 

and also…

São Marcos Fair − April

Summer Festivities − August

Interpretative Center of the Archeological Station of Alter do Chão

The Interpretative Center of the Archaeological Station of Alter do Chão was inaugurated in May 2010 and is an exhibition space for the material collected during the archaeological intervention made under the recovery project and other interventions.

Today’s stage is only apparently “shorter” and easier, but will be about 13 km by rougher terrains. Neither will we have any supply point, with the exception of water and toilet available in Alter Pedroso. However, it is a course with other natural nuances. We eat and sleep in Termas da Súlfurea hotsprings, at the exit of which we cross the road and turn to the left, in an asphalted street, deviating again to the left, on a dirt track.

We cross a gate that gives us access to the domains of Monte das Ferrarias estate and, straight ahead, we arrive to its facilities. We cross through the middle without reacting to some dogs and, shortly after, we leave the estate and enter the municipality of Alter do Chão. After a kilometre of stone pine forest, we turn right into a cereal field, in which the Path is barely defined. At the end, a wicket door allows us to access the next terrain and, leaning against the fence, we turn left until we cross an insignificant stream. We are walking through a scattered cork and holm oak forest, when dozens of cattle slowly move in front of us. We know they are meek… except when the females feel their young at risk!

Walking slowly, in silence and without sudden gestures is the correct posture. And, if a more curious calf comes to us, we must stop until the audacity passes. The Path now crosses a plain where we are forced to wait for the herd to let us continue, and then we go up the hill to the farm’s private road, which we cross. After passing the gate through a side wicket door, we leave the property directly to the centre of this quiet village, through Rua do Forno. We pass the church, but can’t leave the village through Estrada da Fonte road without first going up to the old castle and chapel ruins.

 

Distance 15 km


Maximum altitude 389 m


Cumulative increase 242 m


Cumulative descent -246 m


Duration 3h45m


Difficulty (0-5) 3

Stage 15 - Nascente

We discover the geodesic landmark and climb, according to the sign indicating “miradouro” (viewpoint). With Alter Pedroso on our back, we start the descent through the asphalt of Estrada da Fonte but, as soon as the indicator sign is presented, we turn right to the “anta” (dolmen) of Alter Pedroso. Further on, we find the prehistoric dolmen, the hill ruins and a left-hand gate on the fence, which gives access to the road that passes on the northside of Monte dos Tapadões. Just over one kilometer more to the village, where we enter by the road next to the cemetery.
TIPS

TIPS

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

SUPPORT

 Bank/Cash Dispenser

 CTT Post Office

  Tourism Office +351 245 610 004

 Táxi

PUBLIC ENTITIES

 Alter do Chão City Council
+351 245 619 160

  Alter do Chão Parish Council
+351 245 612 385

HEALTH

 Alter do Chão Health Center
+351 245 619 160

  Pharmacy

Pontos de Interesse

Santo António Convent Church

    Senhor Jesus do Outeiro Church

    São Francisco Church

   Misericórdia Chapel and Hospital

    Santana Chapel

   Quinta do Pião Roman Village

   Barreto Caldeira Square

   Late Necropolis

   Álamo House and Gardens

   Coudelaria de Alter: Casas Altas (Stud-farm)

   Seda Castle Walls’ Ruins

   Heritage Club

  Vila Formosa Roman Bridge

Alter Pedroso Castle Traces

  Medusa House (Alter do Chão Archeological Station)

  Alter do Chão Castle

USEFUL CONTACTS

Emergency: 112
Forest Fires: 117
Alter do Chão Fire Department: +351 245 612 314
GNR − National Republican Guard: +351 245 612 162

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.