What to see in Santarem, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the Church of Gracia, with the tomb of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Miracle and the Portas do Sol Park.
Tourist information
Capital of the fertile Ribatejo region, Santarém played the role of commercial and military filter of not far Lisbon.
In Roman times it was called Scallabis, while the current name, which dates back to the Visigoth period, derives from the fervor of its inhabitants for Santa Iria or Eirene.
The countless white houses stand out in an urban layout that recalls the past presence of Arab armies due to its shape.
Considered the capital of the Gothic, Santarem includes notable buildings that alone are enough to recommend a visit to this city.
The Church of Gracia, where the tomb of Pedro Alvares Cabral, discoverer of Brazil is located, is striking for its architectural style.
Also worth seeing is the Church of San Giovanni di Alporao, a work dating back to the period of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, home to the Archaeological Museum.
What see
In a precious reliquary of 1782, located in the Church of Santo Stefano, better known as the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Miracle, a particular host is kept, the same stolen by a woman who, on the advice of a sorceress, would have liked to obtain a filter of love, in the desperate hope that her husband, faithful to another woman, would return to being faithful to her.
As she returned home with the host hidden in a veil, this began to bleed, frightening the woman, who hid her in a drawer of her home, where the bleeding continued.
Together with her husband, they informed the pastor of the incident and the host was taken back in solemn procession to the Church of Santo Stefano, where he continued to bleed for a further three days.
Of great interest is the Portas do Sol Park, located on the outskirts of the city, where the remains of the ancient walls of Santarem are preserved.
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This place is a magnificent viewpoint on the plains of the Ribatejo region, the Tagus and other centers located nearby.
