Santiago do Cacém is a singular land: a land of history, of sincere people, of unequalled heritage and unique cuisine.
Our land changes, involves and stirs our sense of self.
Come… come and feel the engagement with our history: You will not leave the same person!
In the morning…
Start your tour in the Historic Centre of Santiago do Cacém as this transports us to a landscape from another time and memories that allow us to experience the past like a warrior in battle.
On the Romeirinhas Tour, which runs around the Historic Centre, we come across the Miradouros (Lookouts) and the Capela de São Pedro (Chapel of St. Peter), which play host to a beautiful landscape that appears to fall into the Impressionist style.
The Castelo (Castle) and the Igreja Matriz de Santiago (Mother Church of Santiago), , both national monuments, form the heart of the Historic Centre. But there are other sites that deserve mention, the Igreja do Espírito Santo (Church of the Holy Spirit), the Pelourinho, the Torre do Relógio (Clock Tower), the Antigo Hospital do Espírito Santo (Former Hospital of the Holy Spirit), the Antiga Casa do Prior (Former Prior’s House), the Antiga Casa da Colegiada (Former Chapterhouse), the Palácio da Carreira (Carreira Palace) and the Igreja da Misericórdia (Church of Mercy).
The Tapada dos Condes de Avillez, a botanical garden with a poetic park that conveys peace and serenity and, as a backdrop the Palace with the same name, are also worth visiting.
The Antiga Judiaria (Old Jewish Quarter), the Sociedade Harmonia (Harmony Society), the Casa Verde (Green House), the Casa Amarela (Yellow House), the Casa das Heras (Ivy House) and the Antigos Paços do Concelho (Former Town Hall), as well as the huge, scattered manor houses, finish off the Historic Centre.
For lunch….
Leaving the Historic Centre, you can head to one of a range of restaurants in the city, where we recommend the local produce of excellent quality. Typical dishes are: “Os miolos” (brains), os jantarinhos and cozidos (pork and bean casseroles and stews) and the delicious Black Iberian Pork.Migas à Alentejana (pork with a breadcrumb paste), Sopas de Tomate (Tomato Soups), Gaspacho, Açorda (bread with olive oil, herbs and poached eggs) and Pratos de Caça (game dishes) complete a full menu.
In the afternoon…
After lunch, head to the Moinho Municipal da Quintinha (Quintinha Municipal Mill) where you can see all the mechanisms and traditional processes of milling cereals.
You should then visit the Capela de São Brás (Chapel of St. Blaise) and the Ruínas Romanas de Miróbriga (Roman Ruins of Miróbriga), an archaeological site consisting of thermal baths, a Roman bridge, a domus with frescos, a forum, temples and Roman paving. It also hosts the only Roman hippodrome known in Portugal. The site has a reception and visitor centre and a thematic exhibition room.
Next you should visit the Municipal Museum, sited in the former prison, and continue on towards the Rio da Figueira Country Park, where you will find the Quinta do Conde de Avillez (the Count of Avillez’s former villa), with a garden, picnic area and pools, forming a real leisure venue that should be enjoyed.
Here, we recommend taking a break for a snack: Alentejo bread with local cheese, spread with honey or traditional jams, or hot, with olive oil and sugar, the so-called tiborna.
For dinner…
For dinner, we recommend local restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious and refined meal, accompanied by a fine local wine, red or white. Do not finish your dinner without trying the santiago cake, the alcomonias (sweets made of syrup and manioc flour), rebuçados de pinhão (pine nut candy) or the pupias (sweetbreads) duly accompanied by pennyroyal or blueberry liqueurs.
At night…
And as having fun and socializing is essential, we suggest the Bars and Nightclubs, or a trip to the Cinema at the António Chainho Municipal Auditorium in Santiago do Cacém.
