VISIT SESIMBRA CASTLE & SANTA MARIA CHURCH

The Morish castle of Sesimbra stands high above the pretty fishing village & has guarded the town since its early founding. The castle was one of the first victories for the Christian conquest of Portugal over the Moors in the 12th century and its strategic positioning was important for the defence of Portugal. For visitors that make the 230m climb up to the castle will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views over Sesimbra & the surrounding coastline. Inside the castle, there are extensive battlements, & the church of Santa Maria

Along this southern wall is a cemetery & more stunning views. Within the western-most tower is a small museum spread over two floors. The top floor provides a history of Sesimbra & Portugal in context with global events. The lower floor details the progression of Portuguese castles & has a scale model of Sesimbra castle.

Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel

The Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel was constructed under the direction of King Dom Pedro II in 1701 & was consecrated in 1707. The church may have a plain Baroque exterior, often found throughout Portugal, but the main attraction is the ornately finished interior & beautiful painted ceiling.

Outside of the church are two symmetrical accommodation wings, which housed pilgrims to the Santuario de Nossa Senhora. These rows of accommodation were called the House of Tapers but were often simply referred to as “hostels”. Sadly, the buildings have fallen into disrepair & are now closed off to visitors.

Contained within the breath-taking, but bleak Cabo Espichel is a range of interesting tourist attractions, & the area makes for an enjoyable excursion from Sesimbra. Cabo Espichel is ideal for tourists who appreciate nature’s raw beauty. The desolate cliffs of Cabo Espichel have always spurned superstition & medieval customs, which, after the Christian Crusades of Portugal (1170s), slowly amalgamated into the Order of Our Lady of Cabo Espichel. The Espichel coastline was the setting for multiple miracles & religious visions, this ensured the region remained an important pilgrimage destination during the 13th-18th centuries. The most fascinating vision occurred in the 15th century when an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared riding a giant mule, & ascended the steep cliffs from the ocean.

Cabo Espichel Lighthouse/Farol The Lighthouse was one of the most important lighthouses of the Lisbon coastline. The south-western edge of the Setubal Peninsula was notorious for shipping, as there are few major towns to illuminate the coast & the region experiences ferocious Atlantic storms. The first lighthouse was constructed in 1430, but the current 32m tower dates from 1790. The white & hexagonal styled lighthouse follows an unconventional style, which is accentuated by the bleak and barren landscape of Cabo Espichel. On a clear night, the light from Cabo Espichel Lighthouse can be seen for 35km (21 miles) out to sea.

Chapel of Ermida da Memória

The small Chapel of Ermida da Memória was an important early pilgrimage destination for Portugal, which lies precariously close to the edge of the cliffs. This was the chapel that the apparition of the Virgin Mary on the mule vanished at, signifying its importance as Mary “entered it”. Inside the chapel traditional blue & white painted tiles (azulejos) depict the mule & its footprints, which is technically the first-ever recorded existence of dinosaurs, even though it was believed to be a giant mule. The chapel is closed off to visitors, but the tiles can be seen through a glass door.

STAY A WHILE LONGER TO ENJOY AN AMAZING SUNSET OVER THE ATLANTIC

Fortaleza Santiago

The Santiago Fort is situated in a place of great natural beauty right in the heart of Sesimbra, towering over the village’s beach, it is also known as Marinha Fort, Praia Fort or even Santiago Fortress.

The structure was erected in 1648 on the orders of King João IV considered to be the most important fortification of the Sesimbra bay, It was an integral part of the line of defences protecting the entrances to the Douro, Tejo and Sado rivers & was one of the most important strongholds along the Arrábida coast. The military layout inside the fort has been well preserved, particularly the governor’s residence, the garrison outbuildings, the powder store & cisterns, the chapel & the dungeons.
The present structure was projected by João Cosmander, & from 1712 was the headquarters of the Military & Ammunition Government. It was also destined to serve as a summer residence for the Portuguese Princes.
The Santiago Fort was classified as a Public Interest Monument in 1977.

The fort, today is used for cultural venues, it houses a museum of the sea, a tourist office.

Relax On The Golden Sandy Beaches of Sesimbra

Praia da Califórnia & Praia do Ouro

The beaches of Sesimbra are the most accessible but tend to be the busiest during the summer months. The bay of Sesimbra is divided into two beaches with the Praia do Ouro closer to the fishing harbour and the Praia da Califórnia to the east. Both beaches are very similar & have calm sea waters which are suitable for families.

a da Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, also known as Praia da Pedreira do CavaloBeach
The beach is divided into two sides: one with white stones and clear water and the other with soft sand. It is a perfect place to relax & unwind.
There are 3 ways to reach this little paradise
On foot, walking is very steep & not for the faint hearted
By kayak, where you will have the opportunity to visit other beaches, caves, tunnels & coves
By motorboat, from where you can enjoy the beach & some coves from a different perspective. Appx 10 minutes per trip