{"id":909,"date":"2016-08-23T12:29:43","date_gmt":"2016-08-23T10:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/?page_id=909&#038;lang=en"},"modified":"2016-10-18T16:29:30","modified_gmt":"2016-10-18T14:29:30","slug":"beach-and-countryside","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/beach-and-countryside\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach and Countryside"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"accordion-1\" class=\"accordion no-js\"><\/p>\n<p>\n        <h3 class=\"accordion-title\">\n            <button id=\"accordion-1-t1\" class=\"js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" >\n                Beaches            <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n\n        <div id=\"accordion-1-c1\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <\/p>\n<h4>Costa de Santo Andr\u00e9 and Fonte do Corti\u00e7o, two destinations with unparalleled history and nature<\/h4>\n<p>Around 1855, fishermen from \u00cdlhavo and their respective families came to the Costa de Santo Andr\u00e9, \u201cIn the census of 1863, at the beach of Santo Andr\u00e9 there were six dwellings and a total of 18 people. There were nine men who pursued the occupation of fishing\u201d reports the Annaes do Munic\u00edpio (Municipal Annals) of 1869, who built huts and thatched storehouses with reeds and, due to the abundance of sardines in the sea (in the summer) and other fish in the Lagoon (in the winter), established two crews with farmers in the region, practising the art of x\u00e1vega (seine) fishing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-6.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-118\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-118\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-6-1024x658.jpg\" alt=\"Cabanas e armaz\u00e9ns de colmo e cani\u00e7o\" width=\"1024\" height=\"658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-6-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-6-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-6-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-6-325x209.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The City Council owned the Lagoon, because, as far back as 1685, the local authority leased it for a period of three years for a sum of 18$500 r\u00e9is. The Lagoon continued to be leased to private individuals until 1975, after which it was placed under the management of the Sines Regional Office.<\/p>\n<p>In 1957, two restaurants appeared amidst the huts. And from then on, it began to develop a population centre that occupied the first dune.<\/p>\n<p>In order to make the Costa de Santo Andr\u00e9 a prime location for nature lovers, Santiago do Cac\u00e9m City Council organized the vacation of the first dune of the Costa de Santo Andr\u00e9 to tackle the chaotic town planning that had worsened in the 1970s during the term of office the Sines Regional Office, creating a new development for rehousing the families that previously lived on the dune.<\/p>\n<p>Santo Andr\u00e9 Lagoon constitutes a strategic port of call, passage and nesting for many species of migratory birds. The Santo Andr\u00e9 and Sancha Lagoons were declared a Nature Reserve by the Portuguese State by means of Implementing Decree 10\/2000 of 22 August.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-6.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-119\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-119\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-6-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Lagoa de Santo Andr\u00e9\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-6-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-6-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-6-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-6-325x244.jpg 325w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-6.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This coastal area is characterized by aquatic and riparian ecosystems influenced by the fresh and brackish waters, including small areas of marshland, willows, reeds, rushes, marshy moors and humid pastures.<\/p>\n<p>The main aim of its classification as a Protected Area was to preserve the high ecological value of these two wetlands and their surrounding areas, in particular as areas important for the breeding, wintering and migrating birds. In the middle of the Reserve there is a birdwatching and bird ringing centre.<\/p>\n<p>It also seeks to protect the surrounding dune complex and the adjacent marine strip, which is home to characteristic marine fauna.<\/p>\n<p>The flora and vegetation of the Reserve are some of the most important elements in terms of natural value, with 510 species of vascular plants distributed across 79 families having been surveyed.<\/p>\n<p>The vegetation is primarily formed by species tolerant of prolonged flooding and salinity. This is related to the opening of the Santo Andr\u00e9 Lagoon to the sea.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-4.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-120\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-120\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Lagoa de Santo Andr\u00e9\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-4-325x217.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-3-1.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-125\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-125\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-3-1-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Liga\u00e7\u00e3o da Lagoa de Santo Andr\u00e9 ao mar\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-3-1-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-3-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-3-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-3-1-325x216.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The formations and species that have settled in the dune belt are of particular importance, usually dominated by marramgrass and the priority species, yellow toadflax. The woods and heathlands that populate the dunes contain phoenicean junipers and Portuguese crowberry woods. The inland dunes are occupied by dense shrub formations including junipers, gorse heathland and thickets of holy flax..<\/p>\n<p>The most valued endemic species of flora are common thyme, thymus carnosus and herinaria. They are species endemic or near-endemic to Portugal, whose abundance in the Reserve is of high value precisely because they constitute vast and well preserved populations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-3.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-121\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-121\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-3-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"praia da Fonte do Corti\u00e7o, tamb\u00e9m conhecida por Areias Brancas\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-3-325x244.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The beach of Fonte do Corti\u00e7o, also known as Areias Brancas (White Sands), lies entirely within the Natural Reserve of Santo Andr\u00e9 and Sancha Lagoons, as a result of which it plays host to important coastal ecosystems and deserves particular attention due to its natural features. Its long, sandy beach is surrounded by a large dune and pine forest, which makes it characteristic of the region, and emblematic due to the quality of its landscape and its waters. It is a straight beach lined with very light-coloured and fine sands.<\/p>\n<p>Both Costa de Santo Andr\u00e9 and Fonte do Corti\u00e7o beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag, a Golden Flag and have been classified as Accessible Beaches. They receive a large influx of holidaymakers mainly in the months of July and August.<\/p>\n<p>During the bathing season, the average water temperature varies from 16\u00baC to 19\u00baC.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-3.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-122\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-122\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-3-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"praia da Fonte do Corti\u00e7o, tamb\u00e9m conhecida por Areias Brancas\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-3-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-3-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-3-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-3-325x216.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/6-2.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-123\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-123\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/6-2-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"praia da Fonte do Corti\u00e7o, tamb\u00e9m conhecida por Areias Brancas\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/6-2-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/6-2-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/6-2-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/6-2-325x216.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <\/div>\n\n        <\/p>\n<p>\n        <h3 class=\"accordion-title\">\n            <button id=\"accordion-1-t2\" class=\"js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" >\n                The Festejos do S. Rom\u00e3o (Festivities of St. Romanus)            <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n\n        <div id=\"accordion-1-c2\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <\/p>\n<p>Although Santo Andr\u00e9 (St. Andrew) is the fisherman saint and patron of the Parish of Santo Andr\u00e9, it is S. Rom\u00e3o who is celebrated in Costa de Santo Andr\u00e9 on 9 August, one of the most important days for the people of this locality.<\/p>\n<p>The reason why S\u00e3o Rom\u00e3o\u2019s day was chosen for the festivities is unknown. What is certain is that these festivities are deeply rooted in the local population, a tradition whose origins are unknown.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-7.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-126\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-126\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-7-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Os Festejos do S. Rom\u00e3o\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-7-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-7-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-7-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-7-325x216.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Possibly they were brought by fishermen and their respective families from Aveiro, Murtosa and \u00cdlhavo, who, at the beginning of the second half of the nineteenth century, settled on the north bank of the S\u00e3o Andr\u00e9 Lagoon.<\/p>\n<p>Due to the abundance of sardines in the sea in the summer and other fish in the Lagoon, in the winter, the fishermen established with the local farmers crews similar to those found in the north of the country.<\/p>\n<p>They practised the art of dragnet fishing, facing the sea in boats with high and upturned prows called \u2018Saveiros\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-7.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-127\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-127\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-7-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Os Festejos do S. Rom\u00e3o\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-7-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-7-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-7-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-7-325x216.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As Lu\u00eds Manafaia states, S\u00e3o Rom\u00e3o\u2019s day \u201c&#8230;was greatly celebrated by the locals and also by people in the surrounding area who travelled here to bathe and have fun in the bailaricos (Portuguese folk dances) organized here.\u201d People from the local fishing community and the remaining coastal strip were joined on the long beach by folk from the Sierra, the \u2018sagorros\u2019, who travelled there by ox carts, wagons, straw carts, mounted on donkeys, mules or on foot, dressed in their best clothes, carrying haversacks and bottles of wine and \u201cthe girls of the surrounding area had the habit and tradition of bringing a watermelon on their heads, holding an umbrella entirely decorated with ribbons of various colours, which in the afternoon provided them and their boyfriends with shelter from the sun.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Awnings were improvised with quilts and blankets, embroidered towels were spread out on the sand and the haversacks were placed on them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-5.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-128\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-128\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-5-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Os Festejos do S. Rom\u00e3o\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-5-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-5-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-5-325x216.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>An important phase of work in the fields having ended, the harvesting and threshing of the cereals, S\u00e3o Rom\u00e3o\u2019s day thus constituted a day of fellowship, social relaxation, abundance and supportive interaction between populations, contributing towards alleviating some existing rivalries, particularly between the people of the mountains, the heathlands and the village.<\/p>\n<p>Other reports indicate that:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cOn the eve of S. Rom\u00e3o, at dusk, they began to arrive at the beach (&#8230;) hundreds of people from nearby villages, parishes and neighbouring counties, who spread out on the sands, facing the rough sea and like that they waited for the sun to rise. The next day there were more people on the beach, and everyone, young and old, men and women, walked along the seashore and wet their feet, the men with their trousers rolled up to the knees and the women with their skirts hitched up. The rest of the day was spent eating and drinking, talking on the beach and, in the evening, they started disappearing, also in groups, just as they had appeared\u201d.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>        <\/div>\n\n        <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\n        <h3 class=\"accordion-title\">\n            <button id=\"accordion-1-t3\" class=\"js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" >\n                Countryside            <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n\n        <div id=\"accordion-1-c3\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <\/p>\n<p>The structure of the land mainly consists of small farms with an area of less than 10 hectares. Clear and very fertile lands predominate. Agriculture consists of the cultivation of cereals, vineyards and olive groves, vegetables and horticultural produce. Livestock include mainly cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. In terms of forests, the landscape is dominated by pine woods and cork oak stands.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-8.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-132\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-132\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-8-1024x847.jpg\" alt=\"Efetivos pecu\u00e1rios\" width=\"1024\" height=\"847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-8-1024x847.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-8-300x248.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-8-768x635.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-8-325x269.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Inland Plain is a flat area with slight undulations, dissected by a river network consisting of the Sado River and its tributaries.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-8.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-133\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-133\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-8-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rio Sado\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-8-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-8-325x217.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The forest area is mainly composed of plantations of cork oaks and holm oaks, which are the predominant species on the slopes of the Sado valley.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-6.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-134\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-134\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-6-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Montados de sobro e azinho\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/3-6-325x217.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <\/div>\n\n        <\/p>\n<p>\n        <h3 class=\"accordion-title\">\n            <button id=\"accordion-1-t4\" class=\"js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" >\n                Sierra            <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n\n        <div id=\"accordion-1-c4\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <\/p>\n<p>The county is crossed north to south by the sierras of Gr\u00e2ndola, S. Francisco and Cercal. These sierras are an authentic natural barrier separating the coastal plain from the Sado Valley plain.<\/p>\n<p>Many of the cork oak forests that produce one of the country\u2019s great sources of wealth, cork, are concentrated in the sierra.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-9.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-135\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-135\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-9-1024x655.jpg\" alt=\"Serra\" width=\"1024\" height=\"655\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-9-1024x655.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-9-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-9-768x492.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-9-325x208.jpg 325w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-9.jpg 1181w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The strawberry tree, the fruit of which is used to produce genuine arbutus spirit, is also characteristic of our sierras.<\/p>\n<p>The Serra da Mina, Rosalgar and Serra das Tulhas mines are located in the sierra of Cercal, all of which are closed.<\/p>\n<p>The village of Cercal is an isolated settlement, but is surrounded by a large number of dwellings, which gives it a very special and interesting character. The village fits in particularly well with the sierra.<\/p>\n<p>Against the green of the sierra, hills and hilltops rise among colourful blankets of wild flowers, where excellent panoramic views can be enjoyed.<\/p>\n<p>        <\/div>\n\n        <\/p>\n<p>\n        <h3 class=\"accordion-title\">\n            <button id=\"accordion-1-t5\" class=\"js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c5\" aria-expanded=\"false\" >\n                Sado River            <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n\n        <div id=\"accordion-1-c5\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <\/p>\n<p>Much of the Municipality of Santiago do Cac\u00e9m belongs to the hydrographic basin of the Sado. Its eastern part crosses the parishes of Alvalade and Ermidas, passing one kilometre east of the village of Alvalade, flowing from south to north.<\/p>\n<p>On its left bank 2 km downstream of said village it receives an important tributary, the Campilhas, which rises in the Serra do Cercal to the northeast of Vila Nova de Milfontes.<\/p>\n<p>On the right bank, 5 km downstream of Alvalade, it receives the Roxo, the source of which lies near Messejana and passes north of Aljustrel, and which has a lower discharge than the Campilhas.<\/p>\n<p>It also receives another major tributary, the S. Domingos.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-10.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-136\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-136\" title=\"Ribeiras afluentes do Sado\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-10-676x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Ribeiras afluentes do Sado\" width=\"450\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-10-676x1024.jpg 676w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-10-198x300.jpg 198w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-10-768x1163.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-10-325x492.jpg 325w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-10.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Along the banks of the Sado River and its tributaries ash trees, willows and many shrubs spontaneously grow, and since ancient times the ornamental oleanders on the banks of the Roxo have been talked about. \u201cI noticed in that leafy avenue, littered with oleanders, the Loendrum roseum, with which the Romans were enamoured, calling it Flumen roseum.\u201d Words spoken by the Prior of Roxo, in 1687, at S. Roque chapel. (Eng. Ant\u00f3nio Lu\u00eds Felix da Cruz).<\/p>\n<p>A true source of life, since ancient times the river has been attracting people to its banks, as confirmed by the numerous archaeological finds dating back to different chronological and cultural periods.<\/p>\n<p>        <\/div>\n\n        <\/p>\n<p>\n        <h3 class=\"accordion-title\">\n            <button id=\"accordion-1-t6\" class=\"js-accordion-controller\" aria-controls=\"accordion-1-c6\" aria-expanded=\"false\" >\n                Dams            <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n\n        <div id=\"accordion-1-c6\" class=\"accordion-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <\/p>\n<p>The Campilhas and Fonte Serne dams are located around 20 to 30 kilometres from the coast, respectively. They are mainly associated with irrigation and consumption.<\/p>\n<p>The Fonte Serne dam stems from the use of a section of the Ribeira de Vale Diogo, which flows into the Sado River. It is an embankment dam with a reservoir area of105 ha and a height of 17.5 m. Here you can swim, row, sail and fish, finding species such as the large-mouth bass, the barbel and the carp.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-11.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-137\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-137\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-11-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Barragem de Fonte Serne\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-11-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-11-325x217.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Campilhas dam, built in 1954, takes advantage of a section of the Ribeira de Campilhas, which also flows into the Sado River. Its reservoir is shared by the parish of Cercal do Alentejo and Vale de \u00c1gua. It is also an embankment dam, having a height of 35 m and an area of417 ha. Here you can swim, row, and the wide variety of fish such as the large-mouth bass, the barbel, the bogue, the bordalo (Tropidophoxinellus alburnoides), the carp, the perch and the crucian carp, attracts lovers of sport fishing.<\/p>\n<p>The dams offer ideal conditions for the success of a good holiday for those who crave a more direct contact with nature.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-9.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-138\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-138\" src=\"http:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-9-1024x689.jpg\" alt=\"Barragem de Campilhas\" width=\"1024\" height=\"689\" srcset=\"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-9-1024x689.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-9-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-9-768x517.jpg 768w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-9-325x219.jpg 325w, https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-9.jpg 1690w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <\/div>\n\n        <\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-909","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"category-beach-and-countryside","6":"entry","7":"has-post-thumbnail"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/909","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=909"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/909\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1004,"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/909\/revisions\/1004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=909"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=909"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/turismo.cm-santiagocacem.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=909"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}