Nazaré – Igreja de São Gião – S. Bartolomeu

Places we are going to visit

Public beach Nazaré

The half-moon shaped beach of Nazaré is one of the most picturesque beaches in Portugal, seducing its visitors with colourful beach huts, friendly dry fish sellers and dazzling natural beauty. The best view over Nazaré can be taken from Sítio district, where you can get to by e-bike. This is the ideal spot to contemplate this absolutely unique coastal town, while feeling the wind on your face.

Pederneira

A belvedere at Pederneira, a historic place in the region. A fishermen's place since the 12th century, siege of the parish, Pedereneira was, after Alcobaça, the most populated small town in the region. Current day Nazaré is relatively recent, since in the 17th century the sea touched the counterforts of the Pederneira Hill. With the sea going back, the fishermen descended to lower altitude areas, where on finds thee curent town of Nazaré.

Monte de S. Brás (S. Bartolomeu)

The elevation is of magmatic origin and emerges in the middle of a dune landscape covered by the Leiria pine forest. It is considered an 'island' of Mediterranean flora, which stands out from the dominant maritime pine in the region.
Sailors use it as a beacon, visible from more than 35 kilometres away, due to its black-green vegetation that extends to the top.
Its historical, religious and natural significance is undeniable. It is connected to the Legend of Our Lady of Nazareth, as seen in the double nomenclature (S. Brás and S. Bartolomeu), which comes from the relics of these saints brought by King Rodrigo and Friar Romano.
At the summit, which is 156 metres high and accessible by stairs, the panorama is grand and enchanting. There, you will find the guardhouse of the forest watchman and a small chapel. The chapel consists of a small central nave, a high altar, and a small sacristy. The hill is worth a visit.
The vegetation in this area is diverse, showcasing the rich Mediterranean flora. The dominant plant species include Carrasco (Quercus coccifera), Medronheiro (Arbutus unedo), and Aderno-de-Flehas-Largas (Phillyrea latifolia). The birdlife is also abundant, with sightings of Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Round-winged Eagle (Buteo buteo), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Rock Swallow (Ptyonoprogne rupestris), and Great Tit (Aegithalos caudatus). This makes it an ideal location for birdwatching.
Every year on 3 February, a profane-religious festival marks the beginning of the Carnival festivities at the site of a centuries-old pilgrimage to S. Brás.

Igreja de São Gião (Nazaré)

The Church of São Gião is a Monument of National Interest since 1986. It is located in Quinta de São Gião, in the parish of Famalicão. Recently, it underwent restoration and refurbishment work.
To access the property, take the dirt track from the Ponte das Barcas area to the Church of São Gião. São Gião is one of the oldest churches in Portugal. Various research projects have revealed traces of human occupation from the Roman period to the 18th century.
Archaeological work predicts that São Gião was occupied after the Muslim period, from the 12th century until the 18th century. The church was closed to worship, but the site of São Gião continued to be used for social and economic purposes.
The site played a role in bringing together monastic and non-monastic communities. This was due to its cult function and the natural conditions that the site offered for the survival of all those who settled there.