Santarém: Gothic, History and Trails

Santarém can be explored through a range of themes: Gothic buildings, traces from different centuries, trails with clearly described route profiles, panoramic views over the Lezíria do Tejo, and regional cuisine. This variety can easily be organized around your own travel interests – from a short heritage route to churches, collections and culinary traditions.

History and Gothic Architecture

In the 14th and 15th centuries, Santarém was a royal residence. The Cortes also met here repeatedly, particularly until the end of the 15th century. The city’s Gothic heritage includes both religious and civil architecture, earning Santarém the nickname “Capital of Gothic.”

The Igreja de Stª. Clara was built in the mid-13th century and is considered a characteristic example of mendicant Gothic architecture. The Convento de S. Francisco was begun in this style around 1242. The Fonte das Figueiras represents a different type of construction: it is a rare example of 14th-century Gothic civil architecture.

The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça offers a way to trace the building’s history across several centuries. The church was built in the 14th and 15th centuries; its façade shows the influence of the Flamboyant Gothic style of the Mosteiro da Batalha. The church is also home to the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral.

Churches, Tiles and Collections

The Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Marvila contains 65,000 azulejos and is nicknamed the “Cathedral of 17th-century Tile Art” in Portugal. Tile decoration can also be seen at the Mercado Municipal: the exterior features 55 figurative and 8 decorative azulejo panels, installed between 1932 and 1936.

For an insight into religious art, the collection at the Museu Diocesano da Sé de Santarém includes works dating from the 13th century to the present. Another collection belongs to the Núcleo Museológico de Arte e Arqueologia: the Igreja de S. João de Alporão was built in the 12th and 13th centuries, during a transitional phase between Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The Núcleo’s collection consists mainly of tombs from the city’s former monasteries.

Trails by Route Profile

The Circuito da Alcáçova is 0.67 km long, easy and linear. It starts at the Roman cisterns of Portas do Sol and takes in heritage and traces of human settlement from the Bronze Age to the present at 15 signposted points. The route thus combines a short distance with a long sweep of history.

Another urban walking route in Santarém is 1.77 km long, linear and easy; it starts at the Igreja de Santa Clara. A 6.2 km circular route starts at the Jardim da República and is rated moderate. Separately from the details given for the 6.2 km circular route, the PR2 – De STR ao Rio route offers the chance to spot the Sardinian warbler (Sylvia melanocephala). Length, difficulty and whether a route is circular give you concrete points of comparison when choosing a route profile that suits you.

Views and Regional Cuisine

From the Portas do Sol viewpoint, panoramic views extend over the Lezíria do Tejo. The Jardim Portas do Sol covers approximately 18,000 m². This means that, alongside the buildings, views and green spaces are also aspects of the city to explore.

Traditional Santarém cuisine includes Bacalhau com magusto, Tiborna, Massa à barrão, Cachola de porco and Cozido das matanças. A special regional sweet is Pampilhos: the cakes’ long, narrow shape pays homage to the long stick carried by the campino, known as a pampilho.

Getting to Santarém

Santarém is served by the CP – Comboios de Portugal railway line, providing one way to reach the city. The bus station is in the city center and is served by express bus connections. Since transport services can change, check the latest timetables before traveling.

Discover more destinations: Romeira, Achete, Pernes, São Nicolau, Alcanede.

Back to the main travel overview: Santarém.