Yesterday’s rest in the quiet town of Alvaiázere will have allowed you to recover your strength, after the last two intense days. If you do not feel completely recovered, do not worry, the short stage today will allow you to recuperate.
Let’s go on the Camino Portugues!
The eighth stage of the Camino de Santiago on its tour of Portugal, runs, for the most part, on the layout of the old Roman road. During this day we’ll go through beautiful trails surrounded by holm oaks and olive trees and stretches between eucalyptus forests.
If you are thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago from Santarém tell us what your plans are for the Camino de Santiago and we will contact you to advise you on everything you need.
Itinerary stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
Today’s route is a simple journey. It is a short stage, 12.5 kilometres, and with very little unevenness. The greatest discomfort of the day will be some stony tracks.
Alvaiázere (Km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: For much of this stretch you will be walking on the medieval road that we already walked on yesterday. Buen Camino!
Today’s stage begins in the Plaza de Alvaiazere, in front of the church. We take the Rua Conselheiro Furtado dos Santos, which transforms into Rua D. Sancho I, and we walk around for about 20 minutes through various urbanizations towards Laranjeiras (km. 2.5).
Ascending, on Rua da Igreja Velha, we arrive at a curve on the road that we take to the left. Along asphalt, after a steep rise of 300 metres, we reach a stop. Here, we continue to the left to enter Vendas (km. 3.8).
At the first crossroads that we come to, we turn right on a street with small houses. Next to a curve, we pass in front of a ruined farmhouse and continue along an asphalt trail surrounded by a forest of eucalyptus.
The track leads us back to the road, on which we continue for 1.2 kilometres and then take a track that starts on the right and becomes a beautiful walk between holm oak trees. 800 metres later we arrive at the hamlet of Venda do Negro.
Venda do Negro (Km. 6,5)
Practical tips for this section: The Senhora do Pranto Chapel is an ideal place to make a stop, relaxing in the shade of your porch. Buen Camino!
Along the cobbled main street of Venda do Negro we pass by the Chapel of Senhora do Pranto. We continue straight and get to a stop on the road. We cross it and we continue 100 metres to the left, at the first curve, turn to the right by a path of land that runs between olive trees.
Soon after, the path turns into a beautiful path bordered by stone walls. 2.4 kilometres later, we arrive at the village of Chão de Couce (Casal Soeiro), where we find the Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação. From here we take a stony track towards the last village of today: Ansião.
At the crossroads, we take a right, towards Empeados de Cima. On the left, there is an asphalt track that leads to a stop on the road that connects with Ansião. The arrows next to the stop sign indicate that we take a narrow path on the left, which begins next to a small chapel (Capilla da Constantine).
Following the path, we descend through a wooded section. The dirt track leads us to the first houses of Ansião, entering the locality by Rua de la Mina.
Ansião (Km. 12,7). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: Do not forget to visit the tile panel in da Rainha Santa to discover the beloved legend that gives rise to the name of this locality. See you tomorrow!
Ansião is a beautiful town where you will find all kinds of services and you can visit various places of interest, including The Tile Panel da Rainha Santa, the monumental complex of Santiago da Guarda, the 16th-century Padrão and Pelourinho de Ansião. As well as the Chapels da Constantine and Ateanha.
You can also visit El Puente da Cal, over which, tomorrow we will leave Ansião.
Comments stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
Here are some tips for today’s stage. Both in terms of the tour and gastronomy.
Precautions stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
Today’s stage has no difficulty at all. It is a short day that can be completed following the pilgrim’s path, both for cyclists and for people with reduced mobility.
On this eighth stage, we continue to find the blue arrows that lead to Fatima. Remember that they are pointing in the opposite direction. Therefore, at some crossroads or roundabouts, you can use them to confirm the correct route.
Gastronomy stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
Ansião has rich gastronomy. Here are some suggestions.
- Soups: Workers Soup, Pea Soup, Green Bean Soup or Green Soup.
- Fish: Grilled Cod, Peas with Kale and Sardine, old clothes (Cod), Corn Cake with Sardines or Albardada (Cake)
- Meats: Roast Lamb, Beef, Bean Stew or Black Pudding.
- Sweets: Belhós (Chestnuts), bolo de Noiva (Sponge Cake) or lesmas (Slug Cookies)
Services stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
If you are thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago from Santarém tell us what your plans are for the Camino de Santiago and we will contact you to advise you on everything you need.
Map stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
Consult the map with the route, points and towns along the stage.
Profile stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
Consult the profile of the stage: altitude and degree of difficulty of each section.
What to do stage Alvaiázere – Ansião
The places of interest on today’s stage are concentrated almost entirely in Ansião. Here are some details about the places you can visit throughout the day.
Capilla Senhora do Pranto
The Senhora do Pranto Chapel is located in Venda do Negro. It is a small rural temple, built in 1673.
Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação is located in Chão de Couce. In the temple, its main altar that houses the last complete work of José Malhoa, one of the main Portuguese artists stands out.
Ansião
Ansião is a Parish of the Council that bears the same name and belongs to the district of Leiria. It has a population of 3,600 inhabitants and an area of 38 square kilometres.
The name of the locality comes from the word “Ansiano” (Ancião), which subsequently changed into Ansião. This fact is represented in the Tile Panel da Rainha Santa, which is located in the locality.
At the exit of the town is the da Cal Bridge, from the 17th century. In its streets, you can visit various chapels, such as the Da Constantine and the Ateanha. As well as the monumental complex of Santiago da Guarda, the Padrão Seiscentista and Pelourinho of Ansião.
Capilla da Constantina
The Capilla da Constantina is located on the outskirts of Ansião, at the foot of the Camino Portugues going towards Santiago de Compostela. The temple was built in 1623, as indicated by the inscription on its main gate.
According to tradition, the small chapel was built with the aim of welcoming and caring for pilgrims. They approached the chapel to receive care and to thank the Lady of Peace for the benefits they had received along the route.
The main gate of the temple is accessed by a large staircase and consists of a single nave. It is covered in wood and ornamented with geometric and vegetal motifs.
The chancel is located at the foot of the nave and is also made of wood. In its headboard are two stone altars resting on a gilded altarpiece, in homage to Santo António and San Bento.
Throughout the church you can observe mural paintings, in good condition, depicting scenes of Genesis: Adam and Eve, Eve taking the apple from the tree and Adam and Eve next to the Tree of Life and God.
Complejo Monumental de Santiago da Guarda
The monumental complex of Santiago da Guarda is located in the centre of the village of Ansião.
The collection is made up of a large tower and a stately residence. The latter stands out for its mosaics and was discovered in 2002. The complex has been catalogued as a national monument.
Practical information:
Opening hours: open every day. From Monday to Friday (from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 18:30), Saturdays and Sundays (from 14:00 to 18:30).
Capilla de Ateanha
The chapel of Ateanha is located on top of a mountain, in the village of Ansião. In the past, this was the Main Church of San Martinho de Ateanha.
The temple consists of a single nave and has three altars. The main altar welcomes the image of Menino Jesus. Flanking this image are the figures of San Jose and San Martinho. The latter is made of calcite stone and dates back to the end of the Middle Ages, presenting traces of primitive polychromy.
The right side altar houses the image of the Holy Trinity and the left is made up of three open niches.
Next to the church, you can see a pulpit with balustrade made in stone and a baptismal font.
Padrão Seiscentista
The Padrão Seiscentista of the locality of Ansião is a monument that was erected in 1686, in homage to Don Luís de Meneses, third Count da Ericeira and mayor of the town. Its construction was intended to thank him for his struggle in the Battle of Ameixial, as well as the work completed in 18 years, for which he obtained numerous awards and recognition.
The monument was declared heritage of Cultural interest in 1980.
Panel de Azulejo da Rainha Santa
The Tile Panel da Rainha Santa is located in Ansião. It is a mosaic made in tiles, the work of Virgílio Rodrigues Valente, in 1937.
The composition represents, according to tradition, the moment in which Rainha Santa gave money to a known old man of the locality when he crossed the road that crossed the village.
This is the event that gives the place its name. In the past, it was named “Ancião” (elder), which subsequently changed to Ansião.
Pelourinho de Ansião
The Pelourinho (Pillory) of Ansião dates from 1686. It is a monument in the form of a transept with a religious vocation. This is located in front of the manor house of the Counts of Ericeira, in memory of this family.
Its structure is formed by an octagonal shaft resting on three steps. The cross is topped with the coat of arms of the family to which homage is paid.
Puente da Cal
The Puente da Cal is located at the exit of the town of Ansião, on the River Nabão. The construction dates back to the 17th century and consists of two half-point arches.
The function of the bridge was to unite the centre of the town with Coimbra. According to tradition, Queen Isabel de Aragon liked to refresh herself in the bridge tanks, which were available for bathing.
