Religious facilities not to miss on the Portuguese

[Shston Girlfd]

I am walking the Portuguese this coming September - haven't made any final decisions regarding which route - yet. Tell me about the monastery, convent, church, kiosk which took your breathe away and made your day a memorable one. TIA!

 

[Oppis]

The Templar Convent/Castle in Tomar was the one for us. The Fado restaurants and the University area of Coimbra another.

 

[Clark]

It's not on the actual path, but I'll be walking the central route in May and plan on taking a detour for a day from Ponte de Lima to the Serra de Arga mountain. At the peak is a church that overlooks the entire valley. Weather permitting, I hope to summit it and give thanks to God in that church.

 

[stevov]

This place in Porto is totally bonkers...it has an admission charge but it's amazing. It's the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis) …the most promine
nt Gothic monument in Porto, being also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration. I could go on … but you can find out more via Church of Saint Francis Porto.

 

[Camino Addict]

I would also add Fatima Cathedral, the Romanesque church in Rates, Braga Cathedral, and if you can make it out to Belem, they have multiple religious buildings worth visiting.

 

[Albertinho]

The Bom Jesus do Monte on the world heritage list ! Don't miss it when you are in Braga. I think it is the best.
And what about the famous churches in Lisbon. The castles in Sintra nearby Lisbon. And not to be missed the Templars castle in Tomar. You may not miss that. If you follow the Portuguese coastal the church on the hilltop in Viana do Castelo. How much time you have ?

 

[cj2003]

This place in Porto is totally bonkers...it has an admission charge but it's amazing. It's the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis) …the most promine
nt Gothic monument in Porto, being also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration. I could go on … but you can find out more via Church of Saint Francis Porto.

Agree totally!

To me the greatest surprise was Conimbriga - the old Roman capital! Fantastic to walk among the ruins https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conímbriga

 

[jsalt]

Fatima, without a doubt.

But only if you approach it with the full knowledge of the whole story. So you completely understand what you are visiting.

Jill

 

[stevov]

Agree totally!

To me the greatest surprise was Conimbriga - the old Roman capital! Fantastic to walk among the ruins https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conímbriga

That looks amazing...definitely one for the future...

 

[stevov]

The Bom Jesus do Monte on the world heritage list ! Don't miss it when you are in Braga. I think it is the best.
And what about the famous churches in Lisbon. The castles in Sintra nearby Lisbon. And not to be missed the Templars castle in Tomar. You may not miss that. If you follow the Portuguese coastal the church on the hilltop in Viana do Castelo. How much time you have ?

Did bom Jesus many years ago...never forgotten it

 

[mcopeland]

Sanctuary of the Virgen Peregrina, Pontevedra

 

[Lydia Gillen]

I stayed in Hebron last Autumn. It is a little detour before Padron. It was a lovely experience. I plan staying there again at the end of April. The only downside is that they do not open until 4.pm.

 

[Liana]

I am walking the Portuguese this coming September - haven't made any final decisions regarding which route - yet. Tell me about the monastery, convent, church, kiosk which took your breathe away and made your day a memorable one. TIA!

Great question, as I am also walking the Portuguese in September and have lots more time than the last two caminos! Will definitely spend time in Viana do Castelo and Praia da Ancora, beautiful towns in the north of Portugal. Also, not to be missed is the Variante Espiritual found in Pontevedra! Good luck and Bom Caminho

 

[Albertinho]

Great question, as I am also walking the Portuguese in September and have lots more time than the last two caminos! Will definitely spend time in Viana do Castelo and Praia da Ancora, beautiful towns in the north of Portugal. Also, not to be missed is the Variante Espiritual found in Pontevedra! Good luck and Bom Caminho

Vila Praia de Âncora is a very small village. Nothing special. Viana do Castelo is a nice place as is Caminha. If you want to see beautiful northern Portuguese places take the central route and enjoy places like Barcelos, Ponte de Lima and Valença do Minho.
And if you make some sidesteps more to the eastern side, find historic places like Braga and Guimarães. That is Portugal on its best . Most places are close by the central route .
I agree the Variante Espiritual is great. I explored the area by camping . Very nice landscape and interesting places along the seaside. If you have more time visit the north of Portugal and the area south of Santiag and west of Pontevedra.