Discover Entradas: churches, chapels and nature trails

When planning a trip to Entradas, cultural history and nature offer two clear areas of focus. The religious buildings differ in their construction dates, architecture and furnishings. At the Centro de Educação Ambiental do Vale Gonçalinho, the focus is on a permanent exhibition, an activity programme and signposted themed trails. The surroundings of the Museu da Ruralidade – Núcleo da Oralidade provide another link to local history. You can tailor your stay to whether you would like to focus on religious architecture, local history or the natural heritage of the Freguesia.

Churches and chapels: architecture and history

The Igreja de Santiago Maior was built in 1745. Its altar is made entirely of black and white marble. It has a single-nave layout, and its architecture also includes two semi-arches. The term “single-nave” describes the floor plan, while the semi-arches add another architectural feature. The Igreja da Misericórdia dates from the 16th to 17th centuries. It has a wooden ceiling and contains 17th-century Hispano-Arab tiles from Triana in Seville. These tiles have three distinct attributes: Hispano-Arab describes their style, Triana in Seville their origin, and the 17th century their period. The dates also answer different questions: Santiago Maior has a specific year of construction, the Misericórdia has a construction period, and the tiles have their own date. You can therefore consider the churches’ construction dates, spatial layouts and furnishings as separate aspects.

The Igreja de Nossa Sr.ª da Esperança is classified as a Property of Public Interest (IIP). The Capela de Nossa Sra. da Esperança dates from the 16th century and has a gilded wooden altar. In the Freguesia of Entradas, the Capela de S. Sebastião is assigned Grade 1. These classifications and features are distinct: the classification of the Igreja, the construction date and altar furnishings of the Capela, and the Grade 1 assigned to the Capela de S. Sebastião.

Natural heritage and themed trails

The Centro de Educação Ambiental do Vale Gonçalinho is recommended as a starting point for discovering the natural heritage of the Freguesia of Entradas. It has a permanent exhibition and an activity programme. Themed hiking trails start there; they are signposted and have information boards. The trail markers and boards complement the exhibitions and programme with a focus of their own. Unlike the churches and chapels, whose features relate to construction dates, architecture or altar furnishings, this centre focuses on nature and signposted trails.

A square with historical associations

The Museu da Ruralidade – Núcleo da Oralidade is located on a square that is also associated with the memory of the pillory and the former town hall building. The former town hall was later used as a prison and a primary school. The same square thus brings together the museum’s location, the memory of the pillory and the history of a building that served several purposes.

Discover more destinations: Castro Verde, Guerreiro, São Marcos da Ataboeira, Casével

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