Eastern Way
Cabeça Gorda < > Beja
Stage 5
It is a short and relatively flat stage until Beja, the capital of Baixo (Low) Alentejo. This will allow us to dedicate some time to discover its immense heritage and culture wealth and to recover from the greatest effort of the previous days. We are in the middle of the plains of Beja’s rich red lands, which have been disputed over the centuries by the various peoples who have occupied them. So don’t be surprised if, along the Way, you find a team of archaeologists revealing more traces of Neolithic, Islamic or Roman people’s occupations, with many stories and legends associated.Capital of the District, Beja, known as Pax Julia – as it was here that Júlio César formalized peace with the Lusitanos in the 1st century BC -, was definitively conquered between 1232 and 1234, but, at that time, the territory of the Pax Julia’s old diocese was divided in the dioceses of Évora and Badajoz. The first conquest occurred in 1162, but it was only in the first half of the following century that the city became definitively a Portuguese possession. The traces of the Order of Santiago are clearly visible on the azulejo tiles with the scallop, until we reach the city’s largest silhouette, the keep of Beja’s Castle, where the Tourism Office is installed.
Castle of Beja’s Door
The original structure of the castle is very old, but the most significant enlargements and restorations date from the 14th century. The works were ordered by King D. Fernando to the commanders and masters of the Order of Santiago in 1372. The imposing keep, which still distinguishes Beja’s contours today as it rises to a height of 40 meters, dates back to the end of the reign of D. Dinis. Due to the presence of a battlement with machicolations on the terrace, it is similar to the imposing keep of Estremoz castle.Beja’s citadel had also two doors and a pentagonal perimeter, in which the Governor’s House was built. The whole was articulated with a more complex system of urban walls, with 40 turrets and 7 doors, some of which should accompany the layout of the late Roman wall (as can be seen in the Portas de Avis gates).
Just below it, in Largo São Tiago square, is the Church of Santiago, which has played the Cathedral’s role since 1925.
Church of Santiago/Cathedral of Beja
The first mention of the Church of Santiago dates back to the 14th century and it is uncertain if it was built following the city conquest. The building was greatly modified at the end of the 16th century. Master Jorge Rodrigues, at the service of the Archbishop of Évora, rebuilt the temple and gave it its current appearance, following the model of the Mannerist churches in Alentejo. The restoration of the diocese took place in 1770 and its first bishop was nominated, Fr. Manuel do Cenáculo, who came to live in the city from 1777. It was only in 1925 that the old Igreja de Santiago took on the role of Cathedral, and many works were carried out to adapt it to the needs of a cathedral.
and also…
Ovibeja − April/May
International Cartoon Festival − May
Palavras Andarilhas − September
Southern Experiences (Vinipax/Olivipax/BejaGourmet/BejaBrava/BejaKids) − October
Biodiversity Point
A great diversity of reptiles and amphibians will make the herpetologists delight. Some species of great interest occur in the area of the Municipality of Beja, such as the false smooth snake (Macroprotodon cucullatus) or the Bedriaga’s skink(Chalcites bedriagai). Although at low densities, it will be possible to observe the rare Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) and the European pond tortoise (Emys orbicularis).Among the amphibians, the Iberian parsley frog (Pelodytes ibericus) and the Iberian midwife toads (Alytes cisternasii) are worthy of note. There is also an enormous diversity of insects, as the region’s Mediterranean climate is conducive to outbreaks throughout practically the whole year, offering endless possibilities for nature photography in the discipline of macro photography.
We leave Cabeça Gorda and turn right, through Rua Machado dos Santos, until its end, and then flank the Laverda warehouse building on the left. Shortly after, we arrive at a crossroad with an asphalted road, which we cross and go straight ahead by the dirt road.
After some 5 km, we find on the right the hill of Herdade dos Falcões. Next to that property, the road bifurcates and we have to pay attention to follow the path on the right. It is certain that the Path is well marked but, especially for those who go faster, by mountain bike, the natural tendency would be to go to the left… We continue 1 km slightly up until the end of the road, at a crossroad, and then we descend to the left and, just below, next to the stream, we enter a narrow passage on the right, at the end of the fence. We are in a “barranco” (a word commonly used here to designate the valleys of the small streams), called Vale de Mértola, along which is another infinite plantation of perfectly aligned olive trees. We wander through the plantation, for 2 km, until we reach cultivated fields from where we can see Beja in all its magnitude.
Distance 15 km
Maximum altitude 289 m
Cumulative increase 208 m
Cumulative descent -109 m
Duration 3h30m
Difficulty (0-5) 2
Shortly after, we arrive at the district capital, Beja, and follow the signs to Rua de Beja, which crosses the small Bairro de São João. On the right, it is impossible to miss the amphitheatre with the large tank, to supply the rides, the wash house and several water spouts, which were very frequented by watermen in the 19th and 20th centuries. Called “Tanque dos Cavalos” (Horse Tank), it was the meeting point for riders who, in celebration of Saint John, made a pilgrimage known as “Cavalgada” (horse ride). It included banquets and live music, and was forbidden in 1835 due to the violence of the equestrian games.
The Path continues straight along Rua Bento Jesus Caraça, which can only be done on foot or by bicycle. We enter Beja, a city full of traditions and student life.
Please choose from the many available accomodation options, and then take the opportunity to taste the region’s delicacies.
TIPS
Always carry water, supplies, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof, comfortable shoes, and a map.
SUPPORT
CTT Post Office
Bank/Cash Dispenser
Posto de Informação Turística de Beja
Beja Camping
Táxis
PUBLIC ENTITIES
Santa Cruz Parish Council
+351 963 713 025
Santiago and São João Batista Parish Councils
+351 284 313 100
Salvador and Santa Maria Parish Councils
+351 284 313 100
HEALTH
Hospital José Joaquim Fernandes
+351 284 310 200 / +351 284 322 134
Health Center
+351 284 310 200
Pharmacy
Points of Interest
Beja Castle
Nossa Senhora da Conceição Convent/Beja Regional Museum
São Francisco Convent
Misericórdia/Nossa Senhora da Piedade Hospitals
Misericórdia Church
Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church (Santa Maria da Salvada)
Santo Amaro Church/Visigothic Nucleus of Beja Regional Museum
Santiago Church/Beja Cathedral
Passos de Beja (Religious procession)
Terges and Cobres Stream
Guadiana River
Sítio Guadiana (Site)
USEFUL CONTACTS
Emergency: 112
Forest Fires: 117
Beja Fire Department: +351 284 311 660
Portuguese Red Cross: +351 284 322 484
GNR − National Republican Guard: +351 284 310 770
PSP − Public Security Police: +351 284 313 150
Beja Civil Protection: +351 284 313 050
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.
