PR s.torcato · PR2 citânia · PR3 penha european capital of culture www. guimaraesturismo.com walking tours
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São Torcato is a small village 6 km from
Guimarães with a vast historic and cultural
heritage which can be felt in the harmony
of the Land, the People and the River,
elements that been intertwined for
generations and ones we have pledged
to reinstate and preserve.
In the mid 16th century, the introduction
of corn to this valley steeped in rural
traditions meant that gristmills would take
on a more important role in the local
economy. The characteristic tall grapevines
that border the cultivated fields along
with the river, in harmony with the mills,
make for a singularly beautiful and unique
landscape, one distinctive in this corner
of the Minho province.
A town devoted to faith and yet with
strong secular traditions and culture, São
Torcato gears up for the high point of
the year, the Grand Pilgrimage (Romaria
Grande) on the first Sunday in July.
São Torcato is a spot that offers visitors
other attractions. In addition to the beautiful
granite Sanctuary and its surrounding
parks, there is also the Ethnographic
Museum, the Museum of Sacred Art and
the Chapel at Fonte do Santo, the place
where St. Torcato himself met a martyr’s
death in the year 715. At that time, he
intended to halt the advance of the
Moorish army led by Musa, one of Tarik’s
generals. Legend has it that the body of
the saint was discovered by a Benedictine
monk under a hill of rocks on the spot
where the chapel stands at Fonte do Santo.
The most significant historical monument
is, without a doubt, the Old Church of
São Torcato, where for centuries the
uncorrupted body of the saint was held
in veneration.
PR S.Torcato and its gristmills Overview of the route
Location of Arrival and DepartureSão Torcato
Nature and focus of the routeSporting, historical-cultural,environmental and landscape appeal
Type of routeSmall, over rural paths and lanes
Total distanceCovers 8.5 km – in a circular route
Duration of the routeApproximately 4 hours to complete
Level of difficultyEasy
Amount of climbingPrimarily level ground along thewalking paths
Best time of the year for the routeAll year round
2 guimarães s. torcato and its gristmills 3 guimarães s. torcato and its gristmills
2 Monastery of S. Torcato
The construction of the Monastery of
São Torcato was begun in 1868 according
to the plans drawn up by an architect
named Bohnfledt, a Russian of German
citizenship. Later, modifications were made
by the architect José Marques da Silva
who continued work until 1940.
The granite stone work of the sanctuary
shows the rigor and eye for perfection
of the masons to the extent that the
region has enjoyed a favourable reputation
for this long tradition of excellence in this
area.
In the interior of the monastery, the intact
and uncorrupted body of the first martyr
to the Christian faith on the Iberian
Peninsula rests in a mausoleum in the
Main Chapel, receiving worshippers who
make the special pilgrimage of faith to
visit the site.
Devotion to the saint has made São Torcato
one of the most frequented pilgrimage
destinations in the north of the country.
In front of the Sanctuary are the grounds
known as the Terreiro das Missas Campais,
a paved square, plentifully shaded with
stone benches all round where on feast
days traditional dances may be performed
by some local groups (called a rancho
folclórico) from the Borough. A park on
various levels is located at the end of this
square with an artificial lake and leisure
boats very much in demand in the
summer months, especially with children.
Ethnographic Museum ofS.TorcatoLocated in the headquarters of the
Brotherhood of São Torcato, just behind
the Sanctuary, the Ethnographic Museum
and the Museum of Sacred Art, opened
in 1985, are both well worth a visit.
In a collection that occupies various
rooms are pieces related to the building
of the church, the pilgrimages and the
cult of St. Torcato. In a neighbouring
building are items related to linen and
wine production as well as tools used in
trades once practiced in the Borough.
Guided Tours (to be booked in advance)Contact: Irmandade de São Torcatoph. : +351 253 551 150
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6 The Mill at de Sub-Devesa
The mill with a horizontal water wheel
is still operational and can be visited by
the public from Monday to Saturday. In
addition to seeing the mill itself, visitors
may buy the typical bread of the region,
a corn-bread loaf called a broa de milho
from the current mill keepers, António
and Joaquina.
The Chapel at Fonte do Santo
The Borough of São Torcato owes its
name to a saint who was born in Toledo,
Spain in the 7th century who later became
the bishop of Braga. This priest, legend
has it, died a martyr in this place along
with 27 companions faithful to Christianity
at the hands of the infidel Musa, a
commander of the Moorish army that
attacked Guimarães in 715.
The same tradition tells us that later
heavenly signs announced the location
of St. Torcato’s body, and when it was
uncovered, water sprang forth from the
spot, and ever since, it has cured pilgrims
who have used it.
Battlefield Campo da Ataca
According to the oral tradition handed
down over generations, it was on this
battle site on June 24, 1128 that the
Battle of São Mamede took place, with
the victory of D. Afonso Henriques
granting him the sovereignty over the
Condado Portucalense, thus initiating the
political process of establishing
independence for Portugal in a final
breaking away from the forces in Galicia
that sought to keep this province bound
to Spanish lands. It can be said, therefore,
that Portugal was born here.”
The preparation of this site, proposed
by Prof. Freitas do Amaral, was
undertaken by the City Hall of Guimarães
on the occasion of the 2nd Historical
Conference on Guimarães, dedicated to
the study of “Dom Afonso Henriques and
his Era”. The battlefield was inaugurated
on 27 October 1996 at the closing of
written by professor and political figure, Diogo Freitas do Amaral
the conference with the unveiling of
sculptures by Augusto Vasconcelos.
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Igreja Paroquial S.Torcato
The Church of São Torcato is in the
Romanesque style, a product of various
phases of construction over four centuries,
from the 10th to the 13th. Of greater
interest are its pre-Romanesque features.
Archaeological digs in the 1980s
established that the site was occupied
initially in the Middle Ages yet also brought
to attention certain pre-Romanesque
elements in the building, causing this
monument to be labelled one of the
most important examples of Visigothic
art in the north of Portugal.
The most important vestiges are the
limestone friezes that decorate the inside
of the main chapel. With a delicate design
based on tangent circles and quatrefoils,
they represent one of the principal
elements characterizing the complex
artistic reality of the 10th century: at the
same time they represent a unity with
what was being produced abroad in
Asturias (Spain), yet with certain
Other activities on after
Viva Park
Visiting the local bridges, Botanical visits,
Environmental education, Observing the
local fauna and flora, Paintball, Hiking,
Archery, Archery with blow darts,
Scavenger Hunting, Climbing, Slides,
Rappelling, Fairground attractions, Birthdays,
anniversaries and other planned events.
contact:ph.: +351 253 553 139ph.: +351 919 660 625www.vivapark.pt
geometric elements found in both Tomar
and Lisbon, they attest to the vitality of
the north-south axis of influence inside
Portugal.
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Fauna and Flora
Along the trails, watchful eyes will be able
to spot (with some luck, of course) the
grey partridge (perdix perdix) and the red-
legged partridge (alectoris rufa), as well as
the wild boar (sus scrofa), the red fox
(vulpes vulpes), various birds of prey, the
green woodpecker (picus viridis) and the
cuckoo (cuculus canorus), among others.
Also along the paths are rabbits, water
moles, squirrels, and in streams the Iberian
frog, trout and dace (a fish of the leuciscus
genus), and perhaps a freshwater otter.
In terms of flora, in addition to oaks, pines,
chestnuts, black poplars and grape vines,
there is the traditional vegetation along
the river banks, such as willows, alders,
quince trees and a variety of shrubs.
Local Festivals and Fairs
The ‘27’ Festival
Held on the 27th of February
The Linen Festival
Held on the first Saturday in July
The Grand Pilgrimage to São Torcato
Held the first weekend in July
The ‘Hometown’ Fair and Festival
Second weekend in July
The São Torcato Folklore Festival
Third weekend in July
Harvest Festival (Festa das Colheitas)
Held the first weekend in October
Weekly Market Day
Saturday
Guided visits along the Rural
Walking Tours
Ecoturismo Montanha Viva
ph.: +351 919 660 625
Useful Phone Numbers
G.N.R. (Police)
ph.: +351 253 551 384
S. Torcato Chemist’s (Pharmacy)
ph.: +351 253 551 752
S. Torcato Health Centre (Clinic)
ph.: +351 253 551 372
SOS Floresta (Forest Rescue and Safety)
118
SOS Emergência (Emergency Services)
112
can be some diversity in the lay-out and
positioning of the gear systems, primarily in
terms of the water wheel itself with respect
to how the water sets the wheel in motion.
The circumstances and characteristics of
how the water reaches the wheel determine
which fundamental category the gristmill
belongs to. Type I is the horizontal wheel
with spokes (or vanes) which may or may
not be submersed in the water source (as
in a turbine system). Type II is the vertical
wheel, known in Portugal as the azenha,
with the name corresponding to whether
the water hits at the top, middle or bottom
of the wheel, respectively, an overshot, breast
shot, or undershot configuration (the last
being a wheel placed in a river). In this
region, the existing wheels are of the rodízio
type. The entire mechanical works are set
up inside a mill house, small two-level stone
structures with tiled roofs, the upper part
being the milling area and the lower part
the wheel pit (sometimes called inferno, or
“hell”). It was not only on the smaller
tributary rivers, such as the Febras or the
Torto, or along streams, that men put up
these ingenious structures but also along
the banks of the more prominent ones of
the area, such as the River Ave.
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HistoryIt is impossible to precisely determine the
date when water mills first appeared in the
regions that make up Portugal’s current
borders, but it would be correct to suppose
that they were introduced in Roman times
as part of the general infrastructure that
they set up throughout the Empire; there
is no doubt that water mills were used
during the Roman occupation. In any event,
the existence of water mills in Portugal at
this time shows to what extent the 10th
century was a time of security for the
population, with abundant mention of the
mills in texts from that point on. Terms
seen in the documentation include: moinhos,
molinos, molendini aquae, sesegas, sessecas,
sesigas molinarium or molinantium (this
last referring to the site where a mill was
or could be placed).
TypologyIn Portugal, two types of water mill can be
found: those with a horizontal wheel
or those with a vertical wheel, the former
called a molinus, using the Latin term, and the
latter coming from the term acenia in Arabic,
which gives us the Portuguese word azenha.
In the general category of water mills, there
Water Mills
Overview of the Route
Location of Arrival and DepartureSão Salvador de Briteiros.
Nature and Focus of the RouteHistorical-cultural, environmental andlandscape appeal
Type of RouteSmall, over rural paths and lanes
Total DistanceCovers 9.5 km – in a circular route
Duration of the RouteApproximately 4 hours to complete
Level of DifficultyEasy
Amount of ClimbingPrimarily level ground alongthe walking paths
Best Time of the Year for the RouteAll year round
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As well as featuring the artefacts
uncovered at Briteiros, the Museum of
Castrejo Culture also focuses on Francisco
Martins Sarmento, whose memory is still
alive throughout the exhibits via his texts,
photographs and personal effects.
Opening hours:9.30h - 12.30h / 14.00h - 18.00hopen daily (except December 25th, January 1stand Easter sunday)ph.: / fax: +351 253 478 952www.csarmento.uminho.pt
The footpath leading to Citânia crosses
the villages of Donim and São Salvador
de Briteiros at the southern end of the
Borough. To the north lies the Falperra
ridge of mountains of medium height
(with approx. 400m) and the Ave River
valley to the south. In addition to offering
prime land for farming and grazing, this
area is outstanding for its excellent natural
defences, favouring the establishment of
early human settlement and civilization.
The archaeological work begun by Martins
Sarmento in Sabroso and Briteiros in
1875 allows us to get to know first hand
one of the most important Castrejo
settlements in the Northwest Iberian
Peninsula.
The objects uncovered there can be
viewed at the Citânia de Briteiros or in
the Museum of the Castrejo Culture
(both included on the walking tour) and
are an important testimony to the complex
civilization of these ancient people.
PR2 The Citânia Route
Elaborately decorated gold artefacts, stone
carvings (of which the Pedras Formosas,
or “beautiful stones” stand out as
examples), personal items, instruments
and tools used for daily activities – they
all allows us to picture how the culturally
and artistically advanced Castrejo could
be the “root-source to cultural identity”
for the people of the Northwest.
Along the banks of the Ave River and
two of its tributaries, the Febras and Torto
Rivers, we can observe various gristmills,
artifacts of greatest value and utility for
the agricultural and grazing economy of
the region. Bearing in mind the rich cultural
and historical context, we invite you to
visit the mills and enjoy the surrounding
countryside in the rural walking tour that
we propose to you now.
Museum of the Castrejo Culture
Opened to the public in 2003, the Museum
of the Castrejo Culture is located in a Baroque
manor house built toward the end of the
18th - beginning of the 19th century. This
was the headquarters of archaeological
research for the renowned scholar Martins
Sarmento at Citânia de Briteiros and at
Castro de Sabroso. It is also notable for
being the site chosen for the 1st National
Archaeological Conference held in Portugal
in 1877.
The museum complex consists of several
agricultural out-buildings with porches, a
corral,a field for dry farming, a corn crib
with threshing floor and mill – its collections
are filled with the findings unearthed at
Citânia de Briteiros and Castro de Sabroso.
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3 Citânia de Briteiros
The archaeological ruins of Citânia de
Briteiros are a national monument and
singular proof of the existence of an
important early pre-Roman settlement
in the north-east of Portugal belonging
to type referred to as “castros” (fortified
hill towns). This culture is still clearly
evident despite heavy romanisation at
the beginning of the Christian era. Martins
Sarmento, the famous ethnologist and
archaeologist, who was born in Guimarães
in 1833, conducted a scientific exploration
of these ruins making a decisive
contribution to their study, conservation
and disclosure.
A large number of buildings of various
types are distributed freely but not
random around the site. This incipient
organisation provides important insights
to understanding these remote people
who lived perched on top of their
mountains, girdled by various defensive
walls; large parts of which are still intact.
Opening hours:9.30h - 18.00hopen dailyph:. / fax: +351 253 415 969www.csarmento.uminho.pt
Grist Mill at Requeixo, Donim
Grist mill in cubic form of medieval
construction with granite holding tank in
six pieces with granite water chute.
(M. N.)
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Fauna and Flora
The terrain of Citânia de Briteiros is
marked with granite boulders and
outcroppings which over time came to
the surface and undoubtedly provided
raw material for building the inhabitants’
living quarters.
Today, the land is now covered by the
broom plant, especially the mountain variety,
the dyer’s greenwood plant, briarwood
and common gorse, this latter shrub is
considered to be an invasive weed.
Moss, lichens and ferns are also
predominant, as well as plants in the
crassulaceae family, succulents known for
their small meaty leaves and flexible stems,
nicely suited to the climate in this area.
Cork oaks and other common species
of tree such as pines, chestnuts and
eucalyptus can be seen. Crops most often
associated with the area include wheat,
corn, barley, fava beans, peas, flax and
oats, grown for their value as food and
as material for clothing and domestic use.
Fairs, festivals and pilgrimages
Feast day of St. Peter in Taipas
June 29th
Festival at São Romão and
São Salvador de Briteiros
Held the second weekend in August
Weekly market day (Caldas das Taipas)
Monday
Don’t be surprised if you spot aquatic
animals, such as barbel, trout, ox-eye and
dace; birds, such as cuckoos, thrushes,
turtledoves and wood larks, as well as
wild animals: wild boar, rabbits and
partridges.
Useful Phone Numbers
G.N.R. (Police)
ph.: +351 253 576 117
Fire Brigade
ph.: +351 253 576 114
Briteiros Salvador Chemist’s (Pharmacy)
ph.: +351 235 572 655
Health Clinic of S. Salvador de Briteiros
ph.: +351 253 579 520
Taipas health centre
ph.: +351 253 479 750
SOS Floresta (Forest Rescue and Safety)
118
SOS Emergência (Emergency Services)
112
Guided visits along the Rural
Walking Tours
Ecoturismo Montanha Viva
ph.: +351 919 660 625
Overview of the route
Location of arrival and departureGuimarães (from the City Park orChurch of N. Sra. da Consolação andSantos Passos (S. Gualter)
Nature and focus of the routeHistorical-cultural, environmental andlandscape appeal
Type of routeSmall route
Total distanceCovers 8,5 Km
Duration of the routeApproximately 3 hours to complete
Level of difficultyEasy
Amount of climbingRoute varies from heights of 210m to613m
Best time of year for the routeAll year round
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Introduction
Although the settlement of the Penha
mountain range dates back to
pre-historic times, it has only been in
the last three centuries that the
relationship has intensified between
people and this natural space in which
granite outcroppings and boulders
predominate. This spot serves as an
observation point looking down upon
the City of Guimarães and symbolizes
the tranquil blending of religiousness,
manifestations of the Christian faith and
a setting blessed by nature.
The Penha (or mountain) is a fascinating
place where grottoes, boulders, ravines,
springs and stately trees beckon you to
enjoy refreshing walks amongst elements
that depict the Christian devotion that
has transformed the area.
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Long known as an inhospitable area of
difficult access amongst such rocky terrain,
nevertheless, occupation of the area,
namely the religious presence as we know
it today, began in 1702 when a French
hermit by the name of William Marino,
after his travels through Galicia and the
north of Portugal, chose the Santa
Catarina mountains where he settled in
one of the existing natural grottos.
A member of the Order of Saint Anthony,
the hermit chose the secluded spot to
live a contemplative life of a monk. Once
the grotto was made liveable, the hermit
is said to have had a small sculpture made
in Braga of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which
he then placed in his abode for devotional
purposes. This action is considered to be
the founding moment of the grotto as
the Hermitage of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel,
the name in use today.
After a group of hunters on the mountain
unexpectedly came across the holy man,
PR3 The Penha Route
news of the hermit’s presence spread, and
the small grotto became a place of worship.
Still in the 18th century, a small community
of Discalced Carmelites, presided over by
Friar Joaquim de Santo Elias, occupied the
spot following the hermit. This is the
community that continued and expanded
the worship services and the devotion to
the image of the Virgin, building a simple
house of charity.
Near the grotto other spaces were
adapted, known today as the Hermit’s
Cellar, the Grotto of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel, the Grotto of Father Caldas, the
Chapel of Saint Christopher, the
Suspended Garden, the Hanging Rock
and the Casa do Despacho. These works
were the result of the hermit’s labours,
with the help of generous alms and
offerings collected at that time to advance
the process of making the space one of
worship and devotion.
During the second half of the 19th
century, for the most part, the intention
was to administer and increase the existing
devotion surrounding the holy image and
hermitage of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at
Penha as well as to bring together the
nearby aspects of natural, monumental,
religious, historical and cultural value with
the sacred space. Places of worship and
popular devotion to divine figures
emerged.
On Penha Mountain, devotion to Saint
Elias, the patron saint of sleep, began along
side the grotto-hermitage of Our Lady
of Mt. Carmel. Devotion to Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel is at the heart of other
expressions of Marian devotion, such as
Our Lady of Penha and Our Lady of
Lourdes. It is related to the establishment
of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel at Penha.
This religious association began quite
some time before its Statutes were
officially drawn up and approved by
decree on March 28th, 1872. Since then,
the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel at Penha, over time, has indeed
achieved the original goals
it had set for itself, such as the
administration of the space and its legacy,
the encouragement of worship, the
celebration of feast days related to the
saintly figures associated with Penha
Mountain, and the preservation and
tourist valorization of the area.
Since the first adaptation of a grotto into
a place of devotion to the Virgin until the
present day, the Penha Mountain area has
undergone extensive transformations. No
longer wild and inhospitable, the
surroundings are quite pleasant and relaxing,
where visitors come to enjoy spiritual
comfort and a natural park setting quite
able to provide unforgettable moments of
leisure activity just waiting to be discovered.
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2 The Convent of Santa Marinha
da Costa (Pousada)
On this site are the vestiges of a pre-
Roman temple; however, local tradition
tells of the founding in 1154 of a convent
on the spot by Queen Mafalda, wife of
King Afonso Henriques, who gave it to
the Order of the Cónegos Regrantes de
Santo Agostinho. In 1528, this order was
replaced by monks belonging to the
Order of St. Jerome. The forecourt of the
church has a terraced staircase dating to
the second half of the 18th century at
the top of which is the entrance to the
church, a Rococo façade notable for its
statues of religious figures. The dome of
the main chapel is in granite, of the
Renaissance style. The Rococo organ box,
balustrade and choir, in gold leaf and
painted to resemble marble, are attributed
to Frei José de Santo António Vilaça.
The main chapel celebrants’ chairs are
beautiful neo-Classical sculpted work from
the mid-19th century by the Italian artist
Luigi Chiari whereas the choir benches,
Chapel of Saint Catherine
This is a small chapel hidden amongst the
boulders of the mountain which has
an antique carved, portable pulpit in the
form of a chalice. António Caldas states
that the chapel was “most likely the work
of the poorest shepherds” and the
invocation of the saint was “established
in 1738.” (CALDAS, 1996: 369) Despite
the lack of documented proof perhaps
this ancient chapel was erected on an
elevated spot as a response to the old
belief dating back to medieval times that
malefic forces and ill fate could be warded
off when religious practices were
established upon mountain tops, such as
the Santa Catarina Mountains.
Whether of medieval origin or whether
in the interest of naming the chapel after
the mountain range in question, what is
sure is the long-established desire to have
worship services available in the area. The
naming of the mountains after St.
Catherine derives from the fervent
devotion of the faithful, and the first
chapel was probably built in somewhere
in the 15th and 16th centuries. Over its
many centuries, the chapel has been
rebuilt and added to; its last renovation
took place in 2007 and included a total
restoration of the chapel and the
surrounding area.
dating from the late 18th century, were
designed by Carlos Cruz Amarante.
The building also has 17th century tilework
and other tiles made famous in the
Varanda de Frei Jerónimo. As for the
convent wing, following a fire in 1951 that
damaged the structure significantly, the
restoration undertaken at the time led
to its transformation into a pousada hotel
establishment.
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Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes
This rocky cavern is located next to the
monument dedicated to Pope Pius XI.
The marble image of Our Lady of Lourdes
was the gift of a benefactor, Fernando de
Castro Abreu Magalhães from Fafe, a
businessman living in Petrópolis, Brazil.
The placement of the statue to the Virgin
took place at the Feast of Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel on July 17th, 1892, with the
first annual pilgrimage to Penha on
September 8th, 1893, the same date as
the dedication of the Pope Pius XI
monument.
The image of Our Lady of Lourdes
was enthroned on July 19eth, 1893,
and from that date many annual
pilgrimages have been made to Penha.
Successive restoration of the spot has
occurred.
Devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes
originates with the apparitions of the
Virgin Mary to the shepherd girl,
Bernadette Soubirous, in that French
Pius IX
The theological doctrine behind the
dogma of the Immaculate Conception of
Mary officially confirmed the long-held
faith of the people in the Blessed Virgin.
In Portugal, the level of fervour reached
such height that a national monument
was called for to honour the declaration
made by Pope Pius XI. In the Sameiro
area of Braga, this intention was made a
reality with the construction in 1869 of
a monument and sanctuary dedicated to
Immaculate Conception of Mary.
At Penha, this memorable event was also
recalled on June 18th, 1882 with the laying
of the first stone of a monument (to be
inaugurated only 11 years later, on
September 8th, 1893) in honour of the
Pope who, in 1854 authorised that the
location be sanctified and dedicated to
devotions to The Most Immaculate Virgin
Mary. An image was given by the
benefactor Fernando de Castro Abreu
Magalhães: a statue in Carrara marble,
five metres tall, depicting Pope Pius IX
giving a blessing while holding the papal bull
Ineffabilis Deus, the one in which on
December 8th, 18541, in St. Peter’s Basilica,
he declared the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception.
This spot also has a fine look-out point
and is surrounded by twisting mountain
pathways and small trails.1 Before, in the encyclical Ubi Primum dated
February 2nd, 1849, Pope Pius IX had asked
his bishops to verify, in their respective
diocese, the feelings of the clergy and the
faithful with regard to the doctrine of the
Immaculate Conception of the Virgin.
town. The fame of that event, which took
place in 1858 in the grotto of Massabielle,
spread quickly beyond France. The
Portuguese, an emigrant in Brazil, ordered
the sculpture of the Virgin to be made,
for it to be placed on Penha, in similar
faith with the events that took place in
France and as a sign of thanksgiving and
praise to Our Lady, to Penha and to the
people of Guimarães.
27 guimarães the penha route26 guimarães the penha route
5
5
5
Penha Sanctuary
Other buildings of a religious nature had
existed on the spot of the current
sanctuary, the work of the renowned
architect, António Marques da Silva. The
design was approved in January of 1931.
The selection of any spot for the building
the sanctuary would require that there
be sufficient space for the celebration of
an outdoor mass since this would be in
following with the tastes and customs of
the faithful.
In June of 1932, the main chapel of the
Sanctuary was blessed and consecrated
to worship since the pulpit had already
been built and a holy image of Our Lady
of the Immaculate Conception placed at
the main altar. The blessing was performed
by the Monsignor João António Ribeiro.
In the same year, a large gathering of
pilgrims took place for the first time on
the patio courtyard of the Sanctuary, with
an altar being erected in front of the
already built main chapel. In the following
and enjoy the city of Guimarães and the
surrounding area below.
With the construction work taken up
again, the main body of the sanctuary
structure, done in a modern architectural
style, was concluded at the end of 1945
along with the grand patio, the Hermit’s
Cellar, the flooring of the hermit’s grotto,
the construction of other observation
points and the building of a new cistern.
Located in a wide-open area chosen
specifically to accommodate the
multitudes of the faithful for an open-air
mass or other outdoor religious events,
the Sanctuary was consecrated and
inaugurated on September 14th 1947,
the day of the annual pilgrimage, by His
Eminence the Cardinal of Lisbon, D.
Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira. Only two
years later, the cross was placed on the
bell tower, with its twin bell openings,
constituting the largest carillon in the
North of Portugal.
years, work was slow, with the lack of
funds causing them to discontinue in 1937
and 1938.
On 13 February 1939, a fire in the main
chapel and the sacristy did partial damage
to the Sanctuary, still under construction,
and worked was stopped again.
As an immediate response to come back
from this adversity, a wide-reaching capital
initiative was begun, the result of which
produced such an amount that, in the
following month (March 3rd),
administrators were able to authorize the
reconstruction of the Penha Sanctuary
from the monetary donations collected
and the fund-raising activities underway.
In the 1940s, extensive renovation and
building works were initiated, the largest
of which were the roofing on the
sanctuary. Behind the church, an
observation area was strategically built,
offering the vantage point of 600m of
elevation to view expansive landscape
In the Grand Hall of the Sanctuary, an
exhibition is on display.
29 guimarães the penha route28 guimarães the penha route
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7
7
Chapel of Saint Christopher
The Chapel of Saint Christopher was
built upon enormous boulders and next
to a castle-like tower, forming a type of
grotto where devotions are held to Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel at Penha. A rustic
stairway leads us to a spot of
compartment-like openings in the granite
that have been turned into the chapel
dedicated to St. Christopher.
This structure was initially called the
“Reliquary House” or simply “The
Reliquary”. The chapel’s construction was
begun in 1880 and concluded in the
following year (on June 18th, 1881) and
consecrated on June 18th, 1882.
Built to house an image representative of
St. Christopher (a gift of the motorists of
Guimarães for veneration of the faithful),
the chapel was only able to hold mass
beginning in 1936. This was the year that
the image of the saint was taken in
procession along with images of Our Lady
of the Winds and Our Lady of the Seas (a
Grotto of Our Lady ofMt. CarmelThis is a rock formation resulting from a
cluster of enormous boulders. The Grotto
of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, according to
tradition, was carved out from between
boulders and is said to be the place where
the Carmelite monk William Marino made
his spiritual retreat in the 18th century.
A visionary who saw the spot’s potential
for worship based on hermitage style
contemplation, Marino, the founder of
Penha’s religious heritage, provided for
the continuation of a religious presence
after his death. It is said that his last will
and testament in 1731bequeathed the
spot to the Carmelites of Guimarães.
Later, worship services were discontinued
and forgotten for nearly a century.
Only in 1870 did a new phase of religious
presence and expansion take place on
Penha with the beginning of renovation
works. On July 23rd, 1871, the day
designated as the pilgrimage day for the
patroness Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the
grotto-hermitage showed off its new
renovations, which were much more
becoming, made possible by the alms
and offerings of many faithful and
benefactors.
gift of the festival commission, also in 1936).
The edifice was consecrated and given
the formal name of Chapel of Saint
Christopher on July 25th, 1936.
Nowadays, it represents yet another place
of worship on Penha that is frequently
visited by the faithful. These are mainly
motorists from Guimarães, in particular
taxi drivers, (or travellers in motor
vehicles) for whom St. Christopher is their
protector.
31 guimarães the penha route30 guimarães the penha route
Rock Climbing
The quality and originality of the rock,
the surrounding nature and the easy
access all make the cliffs of Penha an
excellent spot for all types of rock climbing.
With 30 trails from the 3rd to the 8th
level, this adventure location can be
enjoyed by climbers who are just starting
out, such as young children, up to the
most experienced ones.
equipment to be used
- top ropes, in stainless steel, with ropes
and carabiners.
- parabolts and rings in stainless steel
All safety hardware is approved by the
CE norms in force.
outfitter
The work of outfitting and preparing the
climbing trails was done by a team led by
a climbing instructor and outfitter qualified
by the National Climbing School (Escola
Nacional de Montanhismo) of the FCMP.
Equipment, Facilities and Services
The Guimarães Suspended Cable Car
The only one in the north of Portugal,
the Guimarães Suspended Cable Car has
been in operation since 1994. It offers a
journey of 1,700 metres from the city of
Guimarães to the top of Penha Mountain,
climbing 400 metres in just a few minutes.
It is possible to transport bicycles inside
the cable cars during the trip up or back.
contact:ph.: +351 253 515 085www.turipenha.pt
rules of use
When practicing this sport, each
individual must take personal
responsibility for the inherent risks of
this type of activity. Whether climbing
individually or in a group, this activity is
strictly at your own risk.
The Penha Campgrounds
Created in 1950, this campground is located
on the top of Penha Mountain. It offers a
lodge, able to house 20 people, with a
kitchen, TV room, fireplace and sofas.
The site is paradise of nature nestled in
the wooded area and totally integrated
into the Penha landscape.
contact:ph.: +351 253 515 912/ 253 515 [email protected] [email protected]
33 guimarães the penha route32 guimarães the penha route
Fauna and Flora
The Penha Mountain offers a verdant
landscape that provides shelter for several
types of animals and at the same time
gives Guimarães an abundance of fresh
air, making it “the lungs of the city.”
The wooded area of untouched, lush
nature occupies the majority of the 60
hectares in total. Making their home here
are many types of birds, such as thrushes,
wrens, & jays who share the mountain
with rabbits, squirrels, foxes, badgers,
moles, skunks and boars.
Penha is also a natural paradise and
sanctuary for various types of trees, which
make a green swath whose energy spills
over into the surrounding area.
Although dense in vegetation, plant life
is limited to just a few types, with some
exotic plants from the Orient
predominating.
The species of tree most frequently found
are Australia blackwood,
Local festivals and events
Feast day of St. Catherine
3rd Sunday in June
Feast day of Our Lady of Mt Carmel
at Penha
July 16th or the following Sunday
Feast day of St. Christopher
(patron saint of motorists and travellers)
July 27 or the following Sunday
Pilgrimage to Penha
Second Sunday in September
Portugal cup in Mountain Biking
(Downhill and Cross Country)
Septembre
Rampa da Penha Motorised race
(National championships) Septembre
Guided tours of the route
Irmandade da Penha
ph.: +351 253 414114
www.penhaguimaraes.com
strawberry medrone, plane trees, cork
oak, walnut, fig trees, and birch, as well as
some varieties such as fir trees, acacia,
pine, linden trees, olive trees, cypress,
cedar, chestnut and oak.
Useful phone numbers
Tourism Information Office – Pr. S. Tiago
ph.: +351 253 518 790
Guimarães Tourism Board
ph.: +351 253 518 [email protected]
Penha Tourism Welcome Centre
ph.: +351 253 414114
P.S.P. (Local police)
ph.: +351 253 513 334
SOS Floresta (Forest Rescue and Safety)
ph.: 118
SOS Emergencia (Emergency Services)
ph.: 112
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PR3
The Penha Route
1. Convento de Santa Marinha
da Costa (Pousada)
2. Chapel of Saint Catherine
3. Pius IX
4. Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
5. Penha Sanctuary
6. Chapel of Saint Christopher
7. Grotto of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
a. City park
b. Church of N. Sra da Consolação e
Santos Passos (S. Gualter)
c. The Penha Campgrounds
PR
São Torcato and its Gristmills
1. Monastery of SãoTorcato
2. Ethnographic Museum of SãoTorcato
3. Battlefield at Campo da Ataca
4. Water mills
5. The mill at Sub-Devesa
6. Chapel at Fonte do Santo
7. Parish Church of São Torcato
PR2
The Citânia Route
1. Museum of the Castrejo Culture
2. Church of São Salvador de Briteiros
3. Grist Mill at Requeixo, Donim
4. Pre-Roman Ruins at Citânia de Briteiros
5. Water Mills at the Várzea (Febras) River
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3PR
PR3
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36 guimarães walking tours
special precautions and expectedvisitor behaviourDo not stray off the marked paths andtrails.
Be careful with the cattle you mayencounter. Altho ugh of mildtemperament, they become agitated whenstrangers approach their young.
Avoid making loud noises or otherdisturbances that could bother local residents.
Observe fauna only at a distance,preferably with binoculars.
Do not pick or damage the flora.
Take your rubbish with you and disposeof it properly in the bins. Do not throwlitter along the paths.
Always close gateways behind you.
Respect private property.
Do not make fire of any kind.
No plant or rock samples may be takenaway from the area.
Speak in a friendly manner to whicheverlocal residents you may encounter, sayingyou are on a rural walking tour, if need be.
Inácio Sousa e Vasconcelos
Sociedade Martins Sarmento
Irmandade da Penha e Turipenha
Ecoturismo, Montanha Viva
Câmara Municipal de Guimarães
- Turismo
under the auspices of
with the collaboration of
walking tours a concept of
walking tour rout registeredand authorised by
trail markings along the route
correct trail wrong trail
trail goes tothe left
trail goes tothe right
information Tourism Information OfficePraça de S. TiagoPraça de S. Tiago4810-300 Guimarães
Tourism Information OfficeAlameda Alameda de S. Dâmaso, 834810-286 Guimarães
Guimarães Tourism BoardLargo Cónego José Maria Gomes4800-419 Guimarães
www.guimaraesturismo.com
ph.: +351 253 518 790
ph.: +351 253 412 450
ph.: +351 253 518 394fax: +351 253 515 134
Câmara Municipal GuimarãesTurismo © 2009 edition
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