Touristic guide Ourém by Município Ourém

to uristic g uid e o f o urĂŠ m

To wnha ll o f O urĂŠ m 2004

Ă?NDEX

Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message 05

Territory 07

History 13

Patrimony 17

Culture and Leisure 33

Routes 39

Information 65

M AYOR’ S

MES S AGE

When you open this guide, you are accepting our invitation to know Ourém, a municipality to visit by the richness of its past, by the dynamic of the present and by the cheerful perspectives with which it faces the future. Come on with us to the most remarkable touristic religious places and pilgrimage of Portugal, get closer to nature and plunge in the involving atmosphere of the old borough to witness more than eigth centuries of history. We want, effectively, with this publication to guide the tourists, the simple visitor throughout this municipality in order to enjoy our historical and cultural richness which goes from the old castle to the built patrimony, religious or not, to the gastronomy, to the wine whose production is lost in the medieval time. We give you to know the Natural Monu-ment of the Dinosaurs’ Footprints, the Natural Park of Serra de Aire and Candeeiros, the Agroal with its medicinal waters. We invite you to visit the city of Peace and the Altar of the World in association with the meditation of millions of people who search a shelter over there. On the whole, we invite you to visit Ourém, this municipality that with its own affairs and its people is ready to welcome you and make you feel at home.

TERRITO RY

TE R R I TO R Y

Location Ourém, city and seat of municipality of the district of Santarém is located in the centre of the country in the Vale do Tejo’s zone, about 40 km from the Atlantic. The latitude is 39º 30 N and 39º 50 N and the longitude is 8º 30W and 8º 40W. The municipality of Ourém is extended within Serra de Aire in the north, the platform of Fátima in the west and the river Nabão on the east, and occupies an area of 416,1 km2. It is also surrounded by the municipalities of Pombal (in the north), Alvaiázere, Ferreira do Zêzere and Tomar (in the east), Torres Novas and Alcanena in the south and Batalha and Leiria in the west. Being amongst the oldest municipalities in Portugal, Ourém did not have the same parishes along the years. Now it is administratively divided in 18 parishes, integrating 2 cities (Ourém and Fátima) and 2 small towns (Caxarias and Freixianda), 20% are cultivated areas and 49% is forest. The line-up of the geomorphological chains of Montejunto - Candeeiros - Aire - “Planalto de Fátima” - Sicó - Estrela, tear the territory from sw to ne. Towards the east, the River Nabão and River Tejo mark the transition between the continental and marine clime. The municipality is geomorphologic divided in two distinctive regions. On the south region, we have one of the principal’s repositories of limestone formations. The highest point is at the Serra de Aire and Candeeiros and presents a tableland where the dryness of the soil and the Mediterranean vegetation led people to practice an irrigated agriculture and pasture. The area more towards the south has one of the most important repositories of limestone formations. It presents a tableland configuration here and there, cut off by forms as a result of the limestone dissolution. One of these formations is a dried valley known by “Cova da Iria”, where the apparitions to the three little shepherds took place on the 13th of May.

Serra de Aire

Riparian region of Seiça

River Nabão

City of Ourém

City of Fátima

TE R R I TO R Y

The highest point is at the natural park of the mountains of Aire and Candeeiros located at more than 670m. The dryness of the soil and the meditteranean vegetation led people to practice an unirrigated cultivation and pasture. The access to the municipality of Ourém is made by the high way (A1) from Fátima. We can also take the national road (EN113) that connects Leiria to Tomar, or the regional road (ER 349) between Torres Novas and Memória (Leiria) and the ER 356 from Batalha to Alvaiázere. There is also a train station (in Caxarias) and a train stop in Seiça. It is also provided a bus between the station and the Sanctuary of Fátima passing through Ourém. (P.R.)

Townhall of Ourém

TE R R I TO R Y

Social - Economic Characterization In 2001 Ourém registered more than 46000 habitants, the same results as 50 years ago, reaching then a population density superior than 110h/Km2.1 The population in the municipality assumes mixed characteristics, presenting a more or less clear difference: in the north, the urbanisation is located along the main roads, in the south we find a more concentrated population. We are in the presence of a diversified municipality leaded by the cities of Ourém and Fátima. The central location of Ourém municipality and the easy accessibility constitute strong incentives to the progress. The diversity of the economic areas, the closeness to the high way (A1), the abundance of natural resources, the low unemployment rate,

the economic splendour, the interaction between several company associations or even the capacity in the tourism sector give to this region a notability in the regional and national context.

Affairs’ Centre

The tertiary sector concentrates the biggest “slice” of the employed population (55%), followed by the secondary sector (42%). The primary sector (3%)2 has been loosing its relative importance. The sylviculture and the extraction industry have been gaining an important place in the region. Nevertheless, the weight in the local economy is meanfull. Althought its second place, the secondary sector, has more employees in the municipality and especially in the parishes located in the north. In this domain, the wooden transformer industry and furniture industry as well as the building and the public building have an importance. The phenomenon of the tertiary sector is evident especialy in the two cityes. In this sector the commerce services and catering have a very important place especialy in Fátima. 1 2

(INE, Census 2001) (Idem 2001)

TE R R I TO R Y

In what the economy is concerned, the municipality has been supporting some initiatives such as: the creation of industrial zones, the Centre of Affairs Building (Centro de Negócios de Ourém) and the new space of the open market, as well as the preparation of the projects in a short term for example the affairs’ centre of Ourém/Fátima, the congress’ centre of Fátima, the nest of companies etc…. In 1999, Ourém was already one of the municipalities of the district with more companies with bigger dimension; therefore, in 2001 it had integrated 40% of the PME “excellence” (small and medium companies). Recent facts given, had proved that there was an increase in the employment rate in the municipality by 154%, with special relevance to the job offer in the tertiary sector by almost 246%3. (C.N.)

Municipal market

Cf. ACISO “Determination of the politics and strategies to adopt in order to develop the employment market in the region of Ourém.”

HISTO RY

H I S TO R Y

After a period of time when it was thought that Abdegas preceded Ourém, it came up new scents mentioning Aurem when the village was conquered by the Moorish. The etymology of Ourém has been studied either by legends or by phonological similarities. The presence of humans in Ourém came from pre-historical era, revealing along posterior periods a high rate of occupation. Giving support to this fact, there are the archeological and cultural vestiges both Roman and Arabic. Conquered from the Moorish in 1136 by Afonso Henriques, Ourém becomes at the end of the 12thc one of the first municipalities of the kingdom.

Castle and Palace of the Count

In the 14thc with D. Pedro I, Ourém becomes a county and attributes the title to D. João Afonso Tello de Menezes. D. Nuno Álvares Pereira is named the third count of Ourém, D. Afonso his grandson succeeds him being a renowned man of the 15thc. He installs himself in Ourém leaving behind notable remarks of his life and work in the medieval town. As an example we can see the construction of the Paços do Conde and the Fonte Gótica or the foundation of the collegial church which has attached the crypt where lies his body. Tomb of D. Afonso

In the 18th c the earthquake destroys a huge part of this small village of Ourém. The fragility of this borough increases in the 19thc with the French invasions and also with the liberal fights between D. Pedro and D. Miguel promoting the ascending of Aldeia da Cruz that was later designated by Vila Nova de Ourém. In 1917 it elapses in Cova de Iria the miracle of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherds, emerging from here one of the principals manifestations of the mariano’s cult in the world materialized by the sanctuary of Fátima. Towards the end of the 20thc it took place the unification of the Vila Velha de Ourém and Vila Nova de Ourém and its respective raise to a city and head office of the municipality, putting together the history and modernity in order to form a region with new horizons.

Townhall

Sanctuary of Fátima

H I S TO R Y

Marks of the History of Ourém In 1037 it is supposed that the Muslim castle of Ourém had been conquered by the king D. Fernando Magno of Leão and Castela. In 1136 Ourém is taken from the Moorish by D. Afonso Henriques integrating the Christian domain. In 1142 Auren appears documented on the first charter of Leiria. In 1180 D. Teresa, daughter of D. Afonso Henriques attributes the first charter letter to the landlord of the land of Ourém. In 1183 D. Teresa gives the <<ecclesiastic>> of Ourém to the Santa Cruz de Coimbra. In 1217 D. Afonso II approves the charter attributed by D. Teresa. In 1242 D. Sancho II gives the possession of the land to D. Mécia Lopes d’Haro. Around 1350 Ourém becomes a county by consent of D. Pedro I, attributing the title to João Afonso Tello de Menezes. The 9th of June 1357 the possession of the land of Ourém is given to D. Beatriz. The 9th of August 1382 João Fernandes Andeiro is named count of Ourém In 1384 D. João I appoints D. Nuno Álvares Pereira count of Ourém. In 1422 the constable donates the county of Ourém to his grandson D. Afonso. In 1449 is created the medieval market in Ourém. In 1460 D. Afonso the 4th count of Ourém dies. In 1515 D. Manuel II concedes the 2nd charter to the town of Ourém, with sentence in 1530. In 1695 D. Pedro II concedes the 3rd charter. In 1755 the huge earthquake almost destroys the entire old town. In 1810 the municipality is sacked, vandalized and set on fire by Napoleonic troops during the French invasions. The 29th of March 1831 Aldeia da Cruz becomes parish. In 1834 the collegial church is extinguished. The 25th of September 1841 D. Maria elevates the Aldeia da Cruz into a chief town of the municipality with the name of Vila Nova de Ourém. In 1917 the apparitions took place in Cova de Iria. In 1991 Vila Nova de Ourém is elevated into a city together with the old village of Ourém, both constitute the chief town of municipality by the designation of Ourém. In 1997 Fátima becomes city. (A.S.)

PA TRIM M O N Y

P ATR I M O N Y

Natural Patrimony and Landscape Natural Park of Serra de Aire and Candeeiros Included in a Mesozoic limestone massif, the Parque Natural of Serra de Aire and Candeeiros conglobates several villages of the south of the municipality. This region is characterized by its flora and vegetation of the Mediterranean type (for medicinal purposes, aromatic, ornamental, pasture and forest), the zoological abundance or even the caves and other geological formations of patrimonial interest. The landscape is personalized by the enchantments of the material and immaterial culture that grows there in a sapient, simple and certain way. Dinosaurs’ Footprints (Natural Monument) Discovered in 1994 in a place called Bairro (N.ª S.ª Misericordias), the dinosaurs’ track constitutes the most ancient sauropod footprint found until now with around 175 million years old. This track dates from the Jurassic medium.

Vegetation of Serra de Aire

Dinosaurs’ Footprints

This <<palaeontological sanctuary>> belonging to the PNSAC (natural park) offers a route of 1000m (walking or by bicycle) along a Jurassic garden, a centre of interpretation and informative boards. Agroal In Formigais the Agroal integrates the biggest source of River Nabão, appreciated by its icing waters also known to be thermals. The surroundings are a stage of biodiversity and constitute by itself a landscape and an ecological privileged area for peaceful and pleasant walks. Rivers and Streams The fields in the center and north of the municipality are dignified by the rivers and streams whose dikes satiate the dry land.

Spring of Agroal

River Nabão

The River Nabão and the streams of Seiça, Olival, Caxarias and Cacinheira irrigate and embellish Ourém. Suggested visits The belvederes: Achada do Pontão (Gondemaria), Centro Histórico (Ourém), Cabeço de Óbidos, Lourinha, Ortiga and Geasteira.

Achada do Pontão

P ATR I M O N Y

Historical - Cultural Patrimony Historical Centre Settled at the dome of the mountain, this medieval village (IIP) is comfortably settled in the middle of the walls torn by two gates with an arch named portas da vila (north) and portas de Santarém (south).

Historical Centre of Ourém

The narrow roads exhibit an architectonic assemblage that combines gothic, mudéjar, manueline style, baroque and pombaline style. Here shine the two-floor housing out of alignment and painted in white and tracks of ancient institutions. The immaterial patrimony, which is the expression of the residents and visitors ennoble the borough and gives it a necessary dynamic.

Interior of the Castle

The Castle of Ourém (National Monument - NM) Although with an unknown date of foundation, this building represents an important stage in the process of populating this village in the medieval time. This castle has three towers with a square configuration built in a triangular shaped place, surrounded by thick walls. In the centre, there is a cistern under the ground.

Palace of the Count of Ourém (NM) The palace is composed by two towers and was built by the 4th count of Ourém, D. Afonso around 1450 to be used as his residence. The main building has got a parallelepiped shape and an external corridor. A few meters away Palace of the Count to the south there are two towers whose access is made by a tunnel. Each tower has three floors an in its interior there is an impotent ogival arch. The last floor is smaller to give place to a pleasant balcony sustained by big stones. On the southeast wall facing the west, it is clear to see the coat of arms of count D. Afonso. Pillory (IIP) Implanted at the pillory square, the pillory has a square platform with three steps. On the top of it, stays a column with the date of construction inscribed (1620), although, it is believed that its foundation has occurred towards the end of the 15thc. We can also see the weapons of the village at the top are sculptured vegetal motives such as flowers, plants etc. Gothic Fountain This medieval fountain was constructed in 1434. It has a square shape and two ogival arches, the access is made by a stone staircase. 20

P ATR I M O N Y

There is also attached a public fountain which has sculptured on the wall the weapons of the 4th count of Ourém as well as an inscription with the date of construction. Municipal Gallery Located at the pillory square, this was the town hall building until 1841.This two-floor building had a bell used to call people for meetings.

Gothic Fountain

Now we have functioning here the gallery with periodic exhibitions. Gates of Santarém This entrance allowed the communication between the south villages. On the top of the arch of the gate, there is an inscription with the weapons of the village and a memorial stone of King D. João IV. Collegial Church In 1445, the Pope Eugénio IV gave D. Afonso permission to create in this borough the collegial of N.ª S.ª Misericórdias of Ourém. Destroyed with the earthquake in 1755, this temple was reconstructed between 1758 and 1766 by D. José I taking in consideration the previous dimensions and plant.

Municipal Galery

The interior presents a central nave divided by eight arches that form chapels on the sides, except the one on the left. The chancel chapel has the choir and at the top, there is an oil painting dated from the 18thc. Crypt and Tomb of Marquis of Valença (IIP) This crypt is also called “capela do Marquês”, and it was founded in the 15th c. It has an arched ceiling which supported by six columns and parietal brackets. On each side of the tomb is a shield and on the top of it there is a cross where are sculptured five small shields with the five kinas and seven castles which are inserted between the four crosses of Avis. At the upper end of the tomb, there are the weapons of the 4th count, while by the feet side, we can see two windlasses that suspend a string. This Crypt was one of the buildings that remained intact with the French Invasions.

Church of N.ª Sr.ª das Misericórdias

Crypt

P ATR I M O N Y

Chapel of Our Lady of Conception Located by the Gates of Santarém, this chapel was instituted in 1642 by the canon António Henriques, initially in honour of the Holy Trinity. Fountain of the horses Situated outside the fortress, about 300m away to the south from the Gates of the Village, this fountain represents a continuation of the architectonic patrimony associated to the Historical Centre. According to an existing distich, it was D. Pedro, grandson of D. João I who commanded the construction of this fountain. The Village of Aljustrel Situated in the parish of Fátima, the village of Aljustrel is one of the best known in Portugal because it congregates the houses of the three seers of the apparitions of Fátima (IIP). Here we can visit a house - museum of Aljustrel, a museumlogic space representing the traditional houses and jobs related to this place in the beginning of the 20thc. Lúcia’s house

Jacinta e Francisco’s house

Historical Nucleus

Barber

We can also see some constructions in stone (of rectangular shape and one floor) some of which from the 19thc or even 18thc, we also absorb other materialisations of a modus vivendi settled in a rural ambiance, pastoral and wilderness characteristic of a limestone landscape of Serra de Aire. On the north side of the village, we find Valinhos with the Hungarian Calvary (a temple inaugurated in 1956). A few meters before Lucia’s house a short cut takes us towards the round about where the way of the cross starts with the steps of the passion of Christ and find its end at the Cabeço de Aljustrel. The historical nucleus of the extinguished town of Vila Nova de Ourém This old skull of the head office of the municipality, congregates an architectonic assemblage composed by two-floor urban buildings from the 19thc. There rests the parish church, the extinguished Hospital of Santo Agostinho and the house of the administrator where the three seers of Fátima stayed over night. In this scenery the traditional commerce where barbers, taverners, grocers, trustfully inspired in models and techniques following generations and resisting to changes.

P ATR I M O N Y

Churches and Monuments Sanctuary of Fátima The stage of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherd in 1917, the place of Cova de Iria, known as the altar of the world, has converted itself in an important place of religious worship that shelters per year 5 to 6 millions pilgrims and tourists coming from all over the world. The basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary constructed in 1928 and proclaimed in 1954 by Pio XII, was edified with white limestone, which was taken from the massif and has in its interior some art objects manufactured in the Vatican. The interior displays 15 altars in representation of the mysteries of the rosary. The colonnade is composed by 200 columns and half columns and by 14 altars.

Basílica of Fátima (interior)

Parish church of Fátima This temple was lifted up in 1918 and it was dedicated to Santo António. The construction was made in the place of a more ancient building foundation. It keeps an Ashlar of tiles (Azulejos) from the 16th c and at the entrance on the right side, a font where the seers were baptised. Chapel of Saint Sebastian This temple of Saint Sebastian village (parish of Atouguia) enrols a flatland on the west side of the castle of Ourém and a confluence between two streams, which give it a privileged landscape. The date of its foundation is unknown but it is believed that is very old because in 1682 it was already in ruins. Invested with an uncommon architecture and notable aesthetic material and technique, this building is formed by a central nave and chancel chapel with an arched roof. An annex and a churchyard with centenary olive trees used before for markets complete this unique monument. Somewhere around that place El-Rei D. João I and the Constable D. Nuno may have taken a rest with the troops on the 11th of August 1385, on their way to the Battle of Aljubarrota. In 1810, the French invasions had put fire on this chapel.

Parish Church of Fátima

P ATR I M O N Y

The legend of Saint Teresa of Ourém whose skull belongs to the Collegiat Church of Ourém is often associated to this chapel. This Lady used to live in Zambujal and she was known to perform many miracles within the people from this region. Chapel of Santo Amaro

Retable of the ancient Church of Olival

Chapel of Santo Amaro Located in Santo Amaro (N.ª S.ª Misericórdias) this temple is dated from 1636 and its main façade ends up in a large porch. In the interior of the chancel chapel there is the image of the saint made out of stone from the 17thc. Ancient Church of Olival It is believed that this temple in honour of Our Lady of Purification was founded in 1210 and 1211 with the consent of D. Sancho I and D. Soeiro II bishop in Évora at that time. The actual structure dates from the 14thc and it went through successive interventions in the 17, 18, 19, 21st centuries. This church of one nave is exalted by lateral chapels and by the chancel chapel, which exhibits a beautiful retable in wooden carved work. Its heap congregates also baroque azulejos, a painting on wood of the 17thc, some sculptures (three of them in stone from the 1400’s and one in wood from the 18th c), a gorgeous font, adornments and religious implements.

Parish Church of Seiça

Chapel of Lady of Conception Located in Conceiçao (Olival), this chapel of a mannerist architecture, was founded in 1578 being supported by the cardinal D. Henrique, in a place where existed a temple of the 15th c. Composed by a nave covered with tiles (azulejos), the building culminates with the chancel chapel of a notable architectonic quality that is enriched by the retable, displaying on the walls two paintings (IIP) with Santo António and Santo Agostinho. Attached to this building there is a porch supported by round shaped columns and Tuscan head-pieces settled in a small wall. Many walkers had probably stayed overnight under this porch belonging to this pilgrimage temple and remembered

P ATR I M O N Y

the lodging house instituted around this place by Martim Anes Bocifal in the 14th c. Church of Seiça Dedicated to N.ª S.ª da Purificação this church has in its interior an ashlar of tiles (azulejos) from the 1600s, a marble pulpit from the same time and three sculptures from the 1500s. It is said that D. Nuno Álvares Pereira had prayed for the patron, thanking her for the victory of the battle of Aljubarrota. Suggested visits Chapel of N.ª S.ª da Ajuda (1604) and chapel of Toucinhos (17th c.) - Alburitel

Chapel of Perucha - Freixianda

Chapel of Santo António (17th c) - Caxarias Chapel of Ninho de Águia (1639) - Cercal Chapel of São Paulo (17th c) - Espite Chapel of Ortiga Chapel of Casal Farto - Fátima Chapel of Perucha - Freixianda (probable date of foundation 18th c)

Chapel of N.ª S.ª do Testinho - Urqueira (in the 17th c in the village of Estreito, the count of Castelo Menor was saved from a persecution. To demonstrate his gratitude he ordered the construction of a chapel in honour of N.ª S.ª do Testinho)

Chapel of St.º António - Caxarias

Farms Ourém is distinguished by the 20 farms and other coated houses located around the municipality especially in the parish of N.ª S.ª das Misericórdias, N.ª S.ª da Piedade, Olival and Seiça. The majority of these farms are characterised by a rural life and most of them have a chapel attached.

Alcaidaria-Mor - Rural Tourism

We suggest a visit to some buildings used for rural tourism. Archaeological Patrimony More than 100 archaeological stations are known in Ourém, most of them are located in irrigated and fertile areas more towards the north.

Archaeological Station

P ATR I M O N Y

The most ancient vestiges take us back to preHistory and also along Roman, medieval and modern periods. The typology of the places is diverse and brings with it, marks of the megalithic, villa, vicus, ironed stuff and other types of occupation.

Archaeological materials

Together with the patrimony in situ the townhall has a collection of several objects and materials as for example artefacts in silex and quartzo, bricks, domestic pottery, epigraphs and coins. Suggested visits Medieval Causeways The causeway on the norwest of the Gates of the village, going to the ruins of the Convent of Santo António, offers an agricultural area as well as a forest with Quercus which takes us to a medieval period.

Arrochela - Espite

A 100 meters towards south of the Gates of Santarém and taking the first turning on the right, there is a causeway which ends in a place with a large cross set up in a public road in a village called Mulher Morta. Roman Village of Arrochela (Espite) The roman village is a repository of many and various archaeological vestiges (foundations, ceramics, pieces of weaver’s loom, columns…)

and has a large area of vine that contributes for the perpetuation of the production of the medieval wine of Ourém. Azurrague Valey (Alburitel) Amongst megalithic vestiges and vines, we are in the presence of a pleasant combination between archaeology and landscape, you should enjoy the beautifull views while you walk around this area. Ancient Convent of Tomarães (Caxarias) In Casais da Abadia next to a stream, it may have been founded in the 12thc by Frei Gonçalo, a small monastery, which would have constituted one of the most ancient Cistercian coenobium in Portugal. Part of the structure of this exemplar of medieval religious architecture went through some reconstruction and reutilisation in order to install a music bar. 26

P ATR I M O N Y

Ethnographic Patrimony The geomorphologic duality of Ourém has leaded it to a plurality affirmation of conveyances and know - alls which invest the municipality in a very interesting ethnographic dimension. Popular Traditional Architecture The ancient rural constructions of Ourém inspired in a symbiosis relation between men and environment are modelled by the use of elementary and wizard techniques. The rural houses inscribed in an atmosphere of sandstone (north and centre) are built by using a lath and adobe technique. We are talking about one-floor white houses with simple structure. The chimney alights and manifests its symbolic dimension. The houses also aggregate agricultural buildings or straw-loft and round threshing-floors. The limestone landscape of the south harbours have one-floor rectangular shaped houses with a cylindrical chimney (with a big cross as a sign of devotion), porches, animals enclosures and storerooms for the agricultural implements. Nearby we can also find threshing-floors usually square with the floor paved with flagstones. Suggested visits The villages of Ramila, Gaiola, Vale de Cavalos, Casal Farto, Eira da Pedra (Fátima)

Chimney - Gaiola

Gaiola

Treshing-floor - Vale Cavalos

Popular traditional architecture

P ATR I M O N Y

Mill Equipments Mountains and mountains puncted by windmills, flat banks near the rivers intercepted by hydraulic artifices, there it is the Flourdealing scenery of Ourém! Between watermills and windmills, olive- oil press and vestiges of fulling-mills we face a mystic of equipments (with techniques and materials of construction identical of those used before) which personalise the fresh and exube-

rant landscape of the north and centre of the municipality.

Watermill - Matas

At the fields located more towards the south, which are scarce in streams, the pinnacles more exposed coat themselves with windmills whose cylindrical shape and material of construction (stones taken from that area and slaked lime produced in the limekilns) integrate a typical atmosphere in the area. Many sails are already half a sleep others insist in turning round to get this vital cereal transformed. Suggested visits Windmills of Fazarga, Giesteira and Ortiga (Fátima)

Watermills in Matas, Olival, Casal dos Bernardos, Ribeira do Fárrio, Seiça and Urqueira.

Windmill - Ortiga

Fountain - Fontaínhas

Water supply and natural sources The heterogenic nature of Ourém associated to the craft of the community gave life to systems of water collection and supply that distributes water from the north to the south of the municipality. Fountains Planted on the road side, the fountains announce diverse typology: some lifted up at a ground level, some at an inferior level, some with strait lines others with arches with or without porch, some in stone others in earth and clay, some painted with quicklime with zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, vegetal, making also some allusion to hagiology; in some there is only a source, others have congregate a watering place or even a washing place. Its waters have satiated people of many origins.

P ATR I M O N Y

Water wells Pillory and other traditional way of extracting water from natural sources pullulate Ourém, especially in the centre and south. Of simple forms and supports in stone and simple gestures this machinery acts as interfixed scales to get the water out of the wells and cisterns. With a more complex mechanism, the water wells can be found in the agriculture lands from north to south and can be contemplated in the fields which are on the sides of the road.

well - Alveijar

Cisterns and big cisterns Inscribed in the dry and limestone fields of the south, the cisterns are settled in an ecological dimension where Man optimises the natural resources without interfering in its balance. Craved or settle in the rocks, these limestone equipments exhibit a diverse typology (in vault, pyramid, conic, cylindrical, square, oval, round, in ramp) some more elaborated than others

all have the same purpose of sharing with the nature the duty of taking water to people, animals and plants, in order to lessen their needs. With more or less the same distribution, the big cisterns result from making a hole in the rock. They are made in order to collect and keep the water from the rain. This water will be used when needed to water the cultures or to the animals. Suggest visits Lagoon, sink, and cisterns in Bairro Cisterns of Gaiola, Ramila, Ortiga and Casal Farto (Fátima) Equipments of Eira da Pedra Systems and equipments in Alveijar (fountains, water wells, streams with washing place, cisterns)

Fountains of Fontaínhas and Poço João Loução (Atouguia)

Cisterns - Casal Farto

P ATR I M O N Y

Handcraft The handcraft has its representation by an association (Associação de Artesãos) specialized in a large area of techniques such as cooperage (compulsory and ancestral in a municipality of viticulture).

The patchwork quilts, the ceramic art, the manufacture of households utensils, sculptures and wooden and metal toys, the tailoring, the shoe repair or even the art of the builder or of the carpenter. Masonry and Paving Firmed in a limestone land the masonry requires strong, firm, certain and decisive gestures as well a big domination of the hammer commanded by the intelligence of the worker.

Causeway

The continuity of the recuperation of the traditional and popular architecture and the adoption of the paving determine the continuity of these jobs. Wickerwork Due to the riparian scenery the wicker is the lord of these lands. The wickerwork (typical and specific local handcraft) constitutes an old knowledge that requires more agility in the hands than instruments to do this work. Out of the knowledge of well modelling the wicker, it results artefacts that are sold in the markets. Baskets small and big with or without bark each of them has its specific function either as a decorative item or as an object to be used in the agriculture. These baskets have a story behind, a story of who put in part of its life and love in each turn that was made with the wicker. Tinker In the 20th c, the tinker has dominated in the municipality. Most of the household utensils and some of the agricultural instruments, were manufactured by very experienced crafters.

Wickerwork

At this time, the reminiscences of this know-all persist and can be revisited in the Casa do Administrator, located at the old part of the city of Ourém..

P ATR I M O N Y

Gastronomy Medieval wine of Ourém In the 12th c, the monks of cister founded a grange in Tomarães and transmitted to the people of Ourém the method to produce this wine also known as vinho palhete. This wine can be appreciated in many restaurants of the region. Broa or Corn Bread After the sowing, the weeding, the harvest, the shedding, the grinding, the confection and the baking, the corn bread or broa reaches the tables of restaurants and houses to be eaten on its own or with a main course.

Grape-gathering

Friginada or tachada, farinheira and morcela The killing of the pig usually takes place in winter; it was a compensation of a year short of meat which was celebrated with the tachada (stew made with the viscera and fat parts of the pig in a clay pot) was shared by every body.

Even until today, the confection of this dish is a pretext for a family meeting. The maximum profit taken of the animal is evident on the confection of the farinheiras (sausage made with flour fat and some spices), and the morcelas

Migas and wine of Ourém

(sausage made with blood, flour or rice and seasonings). These sausages are especially good

and invite one to taste it in the taverns and restaurants of the region. Migas At the time when the variety and quality of meals were scarce but healthy, when the vegetables, beans and corn flour constituted the base of domestic nourishment because these products were easy to grow. Spontaneously, the fusion of these products garnished with olive oil became a main course on its own, today is served to accompanying the main course and can be found in most restaurants of the municipality. Sopas de verde and carneiro guisado Once the lamb was sacrificed, the meats were separated some to cook the sopas de verde (bread, blood, viscera and a lot of fresh mint) and the fatless meat was to make a stew with

Sopas de Verde

Stewed lamb

P ATR I M O N Y

potatoes a real banquet to be served in the typical weddings. This dish may be appreciated in most of the festivities and restaurants of the municipality.

Bolinhos

Bolo de arco

Ginjinha

Bolinho The all saints day is celebrated with the ritual of baking and giving the small cakes taking us back in time where the owners used to give it to the journey labourer and the girls to their boyfriends. The cakes were traditionally made with wheat flour, yeast, cinnamon, sugar, fennel, and grated lemon skin. Bolo de Arco and Passarinho Made with similar ingredients as those of the bolinho, the bolos de arco (arched cakes) and the passarinhos (little birds) are associated to the popular festivals, and to enrich the ritual of festivity once they are symbolically offered to the patron saint. Ginjinha (Morelloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liqueur) Leaving the historical centre without trying a ginginha is like making an unfinished journey because this drink constitutes an indissoluble representation of the taverns and coffee shops of the medieval borough of OurĂŠm. Do not forget to try a ginginha and to make a toast to the friendship and to the meeting with the past. (A.S.)

C ULTURE A N D LEISURE

C U LTU R E

AND

LEIS URE

Museums / Equipments in order to support culture House of the Administrator (City of Ourém) This central exhibition nucleus of the municipal museum makes a link between the administrator and his residence to the three seers who had spent a night here, and exposes the antitheses and the synthesis of distinct and characteristic universes of the municipality of Ourém in the first half of the 20thc and even until now. It takes us to the main identified realities of the municipality, exposed in situ and in museum unities. Beyond the exhibition areas, the museum offers other services such as handcraft and an open-air coffee shop. Museum of sacred art and etnology of Fátima (Missionaries of Consolata - city of Fátima)

Open to the public in 1991 and integrating the net of Portuguese museums, it has a considerable number of Portuguese sacred art and a collection of ethnography from other countries in the world. It relates along the way the history of Christ and the Missions, taking the visitor to meet the mysteries of Christian faith and the way of the gospel in the five continents.

Museum of sacred art and etnology

Museum of the Apparitions It is a recreation of the apparitions of Fátima and of the message of Our Lady to the shepherds represented by animated figures and audio registrations in six languages. Wax museum (city of Fátima) It is a report of the apparitions of Fátima in 31 scenes with wax figures.

Museum-house of Aljustrel

Museum-house of Aljustrel (Aljustrel - Fátima) Composed with a heap essentially ethnographic, this space reconstitutes the material culture, the conducts and the cultural cycles of the people from Aljustrel during the period contemporary to the apparitions of Fátima. The house of Music and Arts The magistrate’s ancient house was recuperated and converted in a cultural equipment directionated to learning and also to enjoy music and other arts. Municipal Theatre This theatre is a stage for cinema, theatre, concerts, dance, colloquies and other cultural and scientific activities.

House of music and arts

Municipal Theatre

C U LTU R E

AND

LEIS URE

Other equipments Libraries - We have the municipal library with six poles distributed by several councils; the library of Fátima (reading, exhibitions, and activities area inscribed in a cultural and educational action). Galleries - Municipal gallery and gallery of the artists and handcrafters of Ourém (Historical Centre).

Municipal library - Ourém

Municipal galery

Sports and leisure Adventure park of Agroal It was created for the practice of adventure sports. Beyond these activities, there is also a camping place and activities such as rappel, orientation, canoe, escalade, slide, shooting with arch.

River Nabão - Agroal

Karting Karting racing track of Fátima - Funpark integrates slide, rappel and orientation. Swimming pool of Ourém Located in the city of Ourém this complex includes an indoor swimming pool (from the 16th of September to 15th of July) and an outdoor swimming pool (from the 1st of June to the 30th of September).

Municipal swimming pool

Horseracing An equestrian association of Fátima (Vale de Cavalos) which access is only for members. Municipal wood of Ourém Located in the city of Ourém, this pleasant forest is the lungs of the head-city. Here we can peacefully enjoy nature.

Municipal forest

Picnic parks Amieira’s Picnic Park (Urqueira) Integrated in a riparian scenery and with a dense forest, this park conciliates the nature and the

C U LTU R E

AND

LEIS URE

reminiscences of the ethnography as well as the social intercourse. You should be delighted with a nice meal and the practice of some traditional games. Picnic park of Casal dos Bernardos Under the shade of leafy trees and well equipped, this park assembles the ideal conditions to proportionate the enjoyment of a shared meal.

Picknic Park - Amieira

Markets and popular festivals Annual pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Fátima Thousands of pilgrims annually celebrate the apparitions of Our Lady to the little shepherds. The most intensive commemorations occur on the 13th of May (in memory of the first apparition) and on the 13th of October (date of the last apparition). The most emblematic moments are the candle procession (on the 12th ) and the adieu to the Lady (on the 13th).

Religious celebration in the Sanctuary

Holy week in Ourém During the holy week at the historical centre several events take place with relevance to the live representation of the passion of Christ, way of the cross and on the last day the funeral procession. Party of Nossa Senhora das Candeias At the village of Olival it takes place every year on the 2nd of February since 1758, a traditional holy celebration with a vigil, mass, procession and a market in the churchyard. This party is also known by the market of the pine nuts. This pine nuts are sold by weight or in a tread making a necklace for children. At lunchtime, it is served a meal with sopas de verde and carneiro guisado. The nuts and dried fruits, trees, seeds and same agricultural objects make the scenery of a rural market that alight the spirit of the neighbourhood. Market of S. Bartolomeu The São Bartolomeu Market or market of the saucepans (founded between 1293 and 1325) takes place every year on the 24th of August at Vendas-Caxarias, where the clay pots are the main mark.

Way of the cross

Pine nuts market

C U LTU R E

AND

LEIS URE

Medieval market Inspired in the founder document, which created the market of Ourém in 1449, the recreation of this medieval market occurs in the spring (every other year) at the borough of Ourém. The commerce is intense and activated by the traders, by the clergy who prays in church and the nobleness who passes by surveying the trade. A medieval supper and other activities are some of other ingredients of the market. Weekly market Being already in activity in 1734, this market takes place on Thursdays in the building and surroundings of the Mercado Municipal being the traders from different origins therefore warranting continuity to this event. Santa Iria market In October the city of Ourém, harbours this century market, which has not only a funfair but also a selling activity of a big variety of products. Commemorations of the city and municipality of Ourém On the week of the 20th of June (commemoration of the elevation of Ourém to a city), the Centro de Negócios of Ourém is the centre of events and divulgation of initiatives and products, where the handcraft and local gastronomy are a constant. Integrated in the same event it also takes place some sports competition such as swimming, artistic skating, football, shooting and other activities. (A.S.)

Medieval market

Windmill

Way by car

Museum

Fountain

Walking way

Gallery

Park Garden

Protected area Natural Park Natural reserve

Santuary Church

Beaches

Mountain

Archaeological assemblage and landscape

Belvedere

RO UTES

Monument Castle

R O U TE S

Monuments route The existence of a sanctuary, churches, monuments close to nature and close to what the most beautiful we have in the villages associated to local culture, make Ourém a visiting place with a lot to offer and discover.

Type

Extention (aprox.) Duration (aprox.)*

35 km

Places of interest

It does not include the visiting time to the monuments neither the break time for meals nor resting time. Recomended acess: high way A1 (IP1 - E80) – way out Fátima.

R O U TE S

Itinerary 1 Sanctuary of Fátima 2 City of Ourém 3 Historical centre 4 Natural monument of dinosaur’s foot print (1) The sanctuary of Fátima beyond the cultual

space it has also a patrimonial dimension starting with by the basilica, (with its heap) by the capelinha das apariçoes, by a crept from José Aurélio or by a fragment of the wall of Berlim.

Sanctuary of Fátima

Administrator’s house

(2) The next stop is at the city of Ourém. On the way out from the Cova da Iria towards the rotunda sul (south roundabout), take the EN356 (towards Fátima). Once you have crossed Fátima, you may appreciate the landscape and the castle seen from far. After passing the villages of Casal Novo and São Sebastião, once in Pinhel take the EN113and go to Ourém.

When you reach the city of Ourém, visit the town hall (dated from 1875). Going down and passing by the garden, you can see the historical nucleus of the ancient Vila Velha de Ourém, which conglobates the urban housing from the 19th c, the church and the house of the administrator. This last building will integrate a nucleus of exhibitions about the apparitions of Fátima as well as a biographic note about the lives of the seers. The history and ethnography of Ourém is something that will also integrate the museum. (3) Take the road to the Centro Histórico. Leaving

from the Avenida D. Nuno Álvares Pereira you should follow the ER349 (Torres Novas), 1km away there will be a turning to Castelo Centro-Histórico. This enormous repository of the medieval and modern time allows us to go back in the time and in the history having as a departing point the house of the administrator. In other words, the perception of the past and of the memories is only completed with this doubled visit. (4) Get to the gates of Santarém and go down Medieval Castle

following the signs of the dinosaurs’ footprints (Bairro).

R O U TE S

National monument of dinosaurs’ footprints

Leaving from Santo Amaro there is a sign Pegadas dos dinossaurios that you must follow. You should pass Vales and Laranjeiras and follow the direction towards Bairro. The dinosaurs’ footprints are located in a hill at the end of the village. This ichnofossil Jurassic period has more than 20 tracks with the footprints. Here you can deepen your knowledge about the history of the earth putting together learning and fun. The end of this route is Fátima and to get there take the EN347. (A.S.) (F.P.)

R O U TE S

Route of religion This is a land of pilgrims. According to the middle age, to pilgrim was considered one of the highest ways of religiosity. We suggest that you walk in order to find the religious patrimony of the municipality and find out about its people and rituals.

Type

Extention (aprox.) Duration (aprox.)*

49.7 km

Places of interest

1h30m

It does not include the visiting time to the monuments neither the break time for meals nor resting time. Recomended acess: high way A1 (IP1 - E80) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; way out FĂĄtima.

R O U TE S

Itinerary: 1 Sanctuary of Fátima 2 Parish church of Fátima 3 Shrine of Ortiga 4 Chapel of de St.º Amaro 5 Chapel of Conceição (historical centre) 6 Collegiate Church 7 Parish church of Ourém 8 Church of Olival 9 Chapel of Conceição (Olival) 10 Chapel of Melroeira 11 Chapel of São Sebastião

Sanctuary of Fátima

From the Altar of the world to the Collegiate (1) Stage of the apparitions in 1917, the

sanctuary of Fátima invites you to the reflection and the participation in the ceremonies and the visit to the basilica and to the little chapel. This last one is the symbol of the epicentre of the apparitions. (2) Follow towards the south roundabout and take the direction of Fátima (EN356). There you

Chapel of Ortiga

find the church where the three seers were baptised and initiated their walking of faith. (3) Then go strait to Ortiga and visit the shrine,

which was converted, into a sanctuary in 1801 by bull of pope Pio VII. In the exterior, you can contemplate a windmill, a cistern, the parish house, and the majestic landscape. (4) Take the road again and go to the castle of Ourém. You should pass through Vale do Porto and Laranjeiras. As soon as you reach the foot of the hill and on your left there is the chapel of Santo-Amaro with a porch, dated from the 17thc.

Church of N.ª Sr.ª das Misericórdias

(5) Go up the hill, pass the gates of Santarém and on your right, you can appreciate the chapel of Our Lady of Conception from the 17thc lined with tiles from the same time. (6) Further away we have the collegiate church

or the parish church of Our Lady of Mercy, a temple founded in the 15thc by the 4th count of Ourém and reconstructed in the 18thc with some inspiration on the Pombalino style. The main façade is composed by three arches and two towers with bells. The interior has an arched

Church of N.ª Sr.ª da Piedade

R O U TE S

nave and chancel chapel. Go to the ground floor and contemplate the crypt, which is similar to the synagogue of Tomar with the sarcophagus of D. Afonso inside, a jewel of the municipality. From the collegiate to the sacred art (7) Go down the hill until reaching the new part of the city of Ourém and visit the parish church that was rebuilt in the 19thc in honour of Our Lady of Piety. At this place, it was a chapel from the 16thc. You can enjoy yourself going for a walk around the historical nucleus of the extinguished Vila Nova de Ourém. (8) Get to the Avenida D. Nuno Álvares Pereira (EN113, direction Ourém-Tomar) and turn left (ER349) towards Olival (at the junction of Matos turn left). At the head office building of the parish, go up the small hill

where you find the parish church in honour of Our Lady of Purification or of the “oil-lamps”. The main façade of a possible witness of the Cistercian power and templar of the region has a portal of curved lintel joining a big window and eyeglass. In the interior, at the entrance we have a very high choir, a lateral chapel on the right wall as well as the altars that frank the crossed arch. (9) Following the same road back to Ourém at about 800m away, turn left to Conceição and visit (at 3 km distance) the wall frescoes from the 1500s of Santo Agostinho and Santo Ambrósio (IIP) inscribed in the

chapel of Our Lady of Conception. From the sacred arts to the troops of Aljubarrota (10) Go up until the industrial area of Casal dos Frades and as you get in ER356 (Caxarias-Ourém) turn right cross the villages of Casais dos Crespos and Casal do Castanheiro (amongst others). Once you reach the city, turn right and go across Ourém towards Fátima (EN113). In Pinhel take the left turning and visit an ashlar of tiles from 1725 with scenes of Marian’s life in the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Amparo.

Chapel of S. Sebastião

(11) Get again on the road Ourém-Fátima by taking the EN356 and 1.5 km away turn left at the village of São Sebastião (before the turning you can see this monument). Once you arrive there, you can recreate a military scene associated to the break that the troops of Aljubarrota took here and revive the devotion and trade because in this churchyard used to take place a market. If you get back to the EN356, 500m away turn to your right towards Alvega and get back to Fátima. (A.S.) (F.P.)

R O U TE S

Route of the water and winds Due to its extension, we can divide this route in two moments remarked by the relative geomorphologic duality of the municipality: the first one is related to the zones located in the north of the historical centre and the second to the zones towards the south. The northern route

Type

Extention (aprox.) Duration (aprox.)*

47.16 km

Places of interest

1h45m

It does not include the visiting time to the monuments neither the break time for meals nor resting time. Recomended acess: high way A1 (IP1 - E80) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; way out FĂĄtima.

R O U TE S

Itinerary 1 Historical centre of Ourém 2 Seiça 3 Agroal 4 Andrés 5 Conceição 6 Roundabout of Ribeirinho 7 Bridge of the enamoured Searching the spring (1) The historical centre, beyond the offer of a diverse scenario (once located between hills and riparian areas), invites you to go inside the medieval castle to visit the cistern. You can also contemplate the gothic fountain, which, through the gates of the village opens ways that lead the water to other many fountains concentrated more in the north of the village. (2) On the way down to Ourém take the road

Gothic fountain

ER349 and go until the Avenida D. Nuno Álvares Pereira (EN113) towards Tomar. After driving for about 3km in Alcaidaria take your left and you can usufruct from the clear waters of the fountains and appreciate the landscape on the sides of the stream of Seiça. (3) Follow the road towards Tomar, taking the direction towards Sabacheira, Vale Meão, Marta, Vermoeira and Casal da Igreja. Here follow the turning to Tomar passing Porto Velho and Palmeiria and Agroal. Here you can have a swimm in the largest natural spring of River Nabão or simply enjoy nature or practice some sports. (4) Take a road to Formigais, following the signs

Fountain - Seiça

to Caxarias and Ourém. Go until Rio de Couros and get on the road ER356 to reach Ourém. You are going to pass by Águas Formosas, Andrés where you can see the riparian areas and vegetation and water mills. In a short distance from here and on your right, there is the water-mill of Pisão, which is still working. Following the road to Pisão do Oleiro take your right and get on the road ER356. (5) Nearby the church of Caxarias, follow the

River Nabão

signs to Ourém and turn to Casais da Abadia and Conceição. Along the left side of the road, there is the flow of a stream and other water

R O U TE S

lines surrounded by green and fresh vegetation and water mills. You should contemplate the nature when you pass through Conceição, Paiveira and Tomaréis. (6) Follow Cardal and Ventilharia and get on

the ER349 to Ourém, cross the city, pass the roundabout of Ribeirinho where there is the fountain of Ribeirinho, an historic mark of the city. (7) At about 1km ahead, take the turning to Beltroa and stop by the bridge. This bridge has a medieval origin and was reconstructed in 1734. It is also associated to the passage of the troops of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, when they were going to fight in the battle of Aljubarrota. You can continue your route by going up to meet your departure place (Historical Centre).

Spring of Agroal

(A.S.) (F.P.)

Grinding cereal

Reparien landscape - Olival

Roundabout of Ribeirinho

R O U TE S

Southern Route

Type

Extention (aprox.) Duration (aprox.)*

27.3 km

Places of interest

40m

It does not include the visiting time to the monuments neither the break time for meals nor resting time. Recomended acess: high way A1 (IP1 - E80) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; way out FĂĄtima.

R O U TE S

Itinerary 1 Historical Centre of Ourém 2 Alveijar 3 Ortiga 4 Gaiola 5 Casal Farto 6 Fazarga Tramping the stone…under the breeze’s flavour (1) This cistern is one of the most emblematic matters dealing with water in the municipality of Ourém. It is located within the walls of the medieval castle and it anticipates the scenery of the captivation and water supply in the south of the municipality. (2) Leave the historical centre through the gates of Santarém and go through Vales and Laranjeiras, here follow the signs to Fátima. Along the way, especially in Alveijar, you will see in the fields different traditional ways of extracting water from the natural springs. All these mechanisms were created in order to serve the purposes of water supply and of irrigation.

Cistern - Historical Centre

(3) Continue your route towards Fátima, passing by Casal de Santa Maria and at the top of the hill turn left to Ortiga. There you can find a recuperated windmill and a cistern. (4) Go to the village of Gaiola and appreciate a public cistern, where everyone can get water for drinking or for irrigation. This cistern is attached to a private house. (5) Take the road to Vale de Cavalos, pass Maxi-

eira, and in Boleiros there is an Equestrian Regional Association of Fátima. From this point go towards Torres Novas and take the turning to Casal Farto. This village congregates a great assemblage and variety of cisterns in limestone that used to be absolutely necessary in peoples’ lives.

Pillory - Alveijar

(6) At the end of the village, follow the direction to Maxieira and Boleiros and cross Fátima, passing by the sanctuary.

At the second round about take the road to Leiria and on your right, you will see a sign to Fazarga. Folow the road and 1km away you will find on the right the hills with the windmills.

Cistern - Gaiola

R O U TE S

These unities of mills commanded by the strength of the wind are in charge of the miller Adriano who day by day helps the transformation of the precious grain into flour. (A.S.) (F.P.)

Windmills of Fazarga

R O U TE S

Route of the Historical Centre

Type

Extention (aprox.) Duration (aprox.)

1.2 km

Places of interest

R O U TE S

Itinerary 1 Terrace of São Tiago 2 Medieval Castle 3 Residence of the Count 4 Ancient building of the townhall 5 Gothic Fountain 6 Collegiated Church and Crypt 7 Chapel of N.ª Sr.ª da Conceição - Gates of Santarém

Terrace of S. Tiago

Welcome! (1) Go in the through the Gates of Santarém and leave your car at the car park. You should start your walk at the Terrace of São Tiago where you find the statue of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira. This meeting and departure point has one of the most beautiful views in the municipality. The military and geographical efficacy is attested by the different cardinal points allowing you to capture the essence of the physical and human landscape involved. Towards the south, is projected the magnificence of the Serra de Aire and the aridity of a long valley, “which frames” the historical centre. Towards the west, in the northern part of the city of Ourém and at the bottom of the valley there is a green blanket with a detailed morphology by hills and valleys having as a background the mountains of Ansião, Alvaiázere and Lousã. In former times, this platform was a stage of a chapel, believed to be in honour of São Tiago. This place should be one of the richest in archaeological vestiges. (2) Get inside the medieval castle. In the centre

of this triangular place closed up by three towers, you can appreciate the cistern that keeps water the all year. The tower of D. Mécia facing the northwest exhibits marks of Italian influence. (3) Go by the side of the key shaped passage

Medieval Castle

and get to the residence of the Count, composed by a central building and two towers located more to the south.

R O U TE S

This National Monument joints military and civil characteristics and the presence of the influence from the north of Africa and Italy as well as the transition between the Middle age to the Modern age. (4) Get to the causeway and go down until you reach the prison, symbol of the local power together with the town hall and the pillory, which are located further down. Converted into galleries for exhibitions, these buildings invite you to “read” the stones and visit the art and the handcraft. From this square, you can also see the new part of the city and create a symbolic bridge between the ancient and new Ourém.

Residence of the Count

(5) Going down the causeway, a few meters

away you will find the gothic fountain with singular characteristics from Portuguese gothic architecture. This fountain was built by order of D. Afonso. On your right, the Gates of the town communicate with the villages of the north. If you decide to cross the gate, you will find further down on your left the medieval causeway and you may rest at the horses’ fountain and at the Convent of Santo António. (6) Back to the gates of the town, go to the

church that was reconstructed in the 18th c according to the original plant of the institution founded by the 4th count of Ourém in the 15thc on the ground flour rests the crypt that escaped untouched by the earthquake of 1755. This chapel shelters the tomb of D. Afonso whose face is one of the best sculptured in Portugal before renaissance.

Gates of the Town

Garden of St.ª Teresa

We invite you for a toast with a ginginha (morello liqueur) in one of the taverns or coffee shops. After a break, nothing better than a walk through the narrow roads and white houses as well as gardens and belvederes where you can see the tower of the sanctuary of Fátima. (7) Further ahead there is the chapel of our Lady of Conception with tiles from the 17th c. The Gates of Santarém lead us to explore a medieval causeway at about 150 m down the hill at the place of Mulher Morta. Going back to the gates of Santarém we get to an end in this route.

Chapel of Conceição

R O U TE S

Route of the little shepherds

Type

Extention (aprox.) Duration (aprox.)

5.4 km

1h30m

Places of interest

R O U TE S

Itinerary: 1 Big Holm oak 2 Little Chapel of apparitions (Sanctuary of Fátima) 3 Monument of the Sacred art of Jesus 4 The way of the cross 5 Lucia’s house and the well of the Angel 6 Monument of Valinhos 7 Hiding place of Valinhos 8 Hungarian Calvary

Apparitions of Fátima

The route of the little shepherds symbolises the way they usually took to go from Aljustrel (where they lived) to Cova da Iria where they used to pasture the flock. This way is an invitation to the reflection, devotion and to the participation in the ceremonies and religious activities along the way. The 13th of May 1917, three children were pasturing the flock in Cova da Iria.Their names were Lúcia de Jesus (10 years old), Francisco, and Jacinta Marto her cousins (9 and 7 years old). Around twelve o’clock, after their prayers, the children were building a wall with little stones where the basilica is today. Suddenly they saw a light and thinking it was a lightning they walked away but further down they saw another light, which illuminated the Holm oak. They saw on the top of this tree a “Lady shining more than the sun”. From her hands, there was a hanging white rosary. The Lady told the three shepherds to pray a lot and to come to that place the next 5 months. On the 13th day of the months of June, July, September and October the Lady appeared in Cova da Iria always at the same time and spoke to them. The 19th of August the apparition took place in Valinhos 500m away from Aljustrel. On the 13th of August, the children were taken to the administrator’s house in Vila Nova de Ourém. On the last apparition on the 13th of October, in the presence of 70000 people, the Lady said that she was the “Lady of the Rosary” and that a chapel should be built in there. After the apparition, everyone observed the promised miracle to the three children in July and September: the sun like a silver dish went around itself like a circle of fire. 57

R O U TE S

Sister Lúcia, a few years later said that the angel appeared three times between April and October in 1916. The two first times he appeared was in the Loca do Cabeço and the third time near Lucia’s well. This angel invited the children to penitence. Adapted from the promotional bulletin – Sanctuary of Fátima (2004)

(1) Starting your walk in the Sanctuary of Fátima, down the slope there is a big holm oak tree that symbolises all the area where the shepherds used to pasture the flock and where supposedly they prayed and waited with the pilgrims before Our Lady appeared.

“Do not be afraid. I will not arm you.-Where are you from? -I asked her. -I am from heaven. -And what do you want from me? -I came to ask you to come here the six following months on the 13th day at this same time. Then I will tell you who I am and what I want…”

Little Chapel of the apparitions

in Kondor Luís Fr. (2000) – Memórias da Irmã Lúcia p.161

(2) It was the first building in the place of the apparitions, as Our Lady

asked. A marble column on which there is the image of Our Lady of Fátima signs the exact place of the apparition:” I want to tell you to build a chapel in my honour, I am the Lady of the rosary, and I ask you to pray the rosary every day…” idem (2000) p.171 (3) The monument of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is in the centre of the

sanctuary on the top of a well whose water has been an instrument of many thanks giving. (4) Following the route, cross the road and walk along Rua Francisco Marto until reaching the Rotunda Santa Teresa de Ourém (South roundabout). On your left at the beginning of the Avenida Papa João

XXIII, you find the “Way of the Cross”. The way of the cross starts near the south roundabout and at the Hungarian Calvary in Valinhos. It is composed by 14 stations with the most important scenes of the passion and death of Christ. There is a 15th station representing the resurrection. The first 14 stations were offered by the Hungarian refugees in the East and inaugurated on the 12th may 1964. The 15th was offered after the communism had ended in Hungry and inaugurated on the 13th of October in the presence of the Hungarian Ambassador. There are programs in order to make the route of the way of the cross by following the stations. One of the programs created by the sanctuary has the following characteristics: “Anniversary pilgrimage”, leaving the apparition chapel at 8.30 a.m. from May to October on the 12th of each month; “A pilgrimage day”, from the 16th of July to the 15th of September, every Saturday it will take you to the way of the cross, Valinhos, Loca do Anjo and the house of the shepherds. Information at the Sanctuary information office or at the site http://www.santuario-fatima.pt

R O U TE S

(5) Ancient house of Lúcia’s family where you have an exhibition of the utensils, furniture and personal objects that filled up the residence at the time of the apparitions.

At the end of the orchard there is a well where the angel of Portugal or the angel of peace appeared by the second time in 1916. Way of the Cross

Alternatively, you can visit the Museum-House of Aljustrel. This ethnographic museum is located next to Lúcia’s house and shows the costumes they used to wear at the time of the apparition. We can also see some objects which would have belonged to the shephers. You can also visit about 300m away, the house of Francisco and Jacinta. This house keeps its original exterior façade since the time of the aparitions. Inside, you can see some personal objects belonging to the little shepherds as well as some furniture (cupboard, beds, chairs) and other personal items from the same time.

Angel’s well

(6) When you are going back from Aljustrel

to the sanctuary, you should follow the direction of the way of the cross and taking the same direction of the Loca do Anjo. The first monument you see on your right (in Valinhos) is where Our Lady appeared for the fourth time to the three little sherpherds the 19th of August 1917. “…Pray, pray a lot and make sacrifices for the sinners. Many souls go to evil because there is nobody to making sacrifices and praying for those souls…” in Kondor Luís Fr. (2000) – Memórias da Irmã Lúcia p.169

(7) At this place you see a scene where the

little shepherds have the first and third visit of the “Angel of Peace” (in spring and autumn 1916).“Once he was getting closer we could see his features more clearly: a young boy in his 15 or 16, whiter than the snow. The sun made him transparent as if he was made of crystal and very handsome…he was holding in his left hand a calyx with a holy host dripping blood inside the calyx.”

Monument of Valinhos

in Kondor Luís Fr. (2000) – Memórias da Irmã Lúcia p.63

R O U TE S

(8) Go to the Hungarian Calvary and visit the

chapel of S.Estevรฃo. If you go up the stairs, you have the monument of the crucifixion and looking around you can enjoy the beauty of the landscape as well as the tower of the Fรกtima church and the sanctuary. On your way back to the sanctuary, you can take the background road and follow the indications. (P.R.)

Shelter of the angel

Hungarian Calvary