The lively town of Santarém is nestled in green plains that reach to the horizon in all directions. The annual flooding of the Tagus River helps to keep the vast plains a lush green color virtually all year long. Known for its horse and bull breeding industries, you can catch some of the best of Portuguese bullfighting at the National Agricultural Fair which occurs in the city every single year.
In the historic center of Santarém, you will find the medieval fortified walls that surround the Jardim das Portas do Sol gardens. From here, you can get some of the finest panoramic views of the surrounding countryside imaginable. You will also find the Jardim do Castelo which is known by the locals as the Flower City.
Many people who come to Santarém also stop by and check out the fine arts museum in the nearby town of Alpiarça, the Casa dos Patudos Museum. Here you will find a lovely collection of paintings and tiles.
In the local village of Tomar which is situated along the Nabão River, you will find the Convento de Cristo. This convent was built within the wall of the castle in Tomar by the Grand Master of the Templars back in 1162. There is also the Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Fátima located in Tomar, which is a popular pilgrimage site. It is said that three shepherd children saw the Virgin Mary twice back in 1916 in the area where the sanctuary sits today.
In and around the city of Santarém, you will find the Igreja Matriz e Capela Dolmen which features a megalithic tomb, considered to be one of the ten largest on the Iberian Peninsula. At the foothills of the Candeeiros Mountains, you can see the Marinhas do Sal de Rio Maior salt pans which played an important role in the region’s salt industry.
There are several major fairs and carnivals that occur every year in the region to celebrate the rich equestrian heritage of the locals. All year long, you are bound to find something to keep you busy either in the city or out in the countryside. There are many great restaurants to check out and have a taste of the local delicacies.
Photo by mackteixeira
