Pilgrim walks in Azambuja

Known in Portugal as Caminho Português, the Portuguese Way of St. James leads the pilgrim from Lisbon through central and northern Portugal to Galicia, to the destination of all St. James pilgrims, Santiago de Compostela.

In Santarém, a city of great importance to the Order of Santiago, you must visit the Marvila Church, built by the Templars in 1147, with rents offered by the Bishop of Lisbon. Enriched in the 17th century by D. Manuel, its walls are a testimonial of azulejo panels decorative art. Take time to admire the symbolic-cultural richness, the armillary sphere, the Christ cross, the fleurs-de-lys, and the heraldic weapons.

The Tejo unites different feelings, as if it wanted to be the elder of a large family that everyone admires and respects. (Francisco Hipólito Raposo, "Ribatejo") The Tejo is also the link that unites the regions of Lisbon and Ribatejo, guiding us along the Lezírias do Tejo (Tagus marshlands) to the small town of Vila Nova da Rainha, which is "da Rainha" (of the Queen) because it was in Santa Marta Main Church that king D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Countable, who was largely responsible for the independence of the Portuguese Kingdom, got married in the 14th century.

Azambuja to Santarém, via Valada on February 23, 2026 We hesitated to take the path because of flooding and our host's advice, but with the hosts' advice beforehand, we took the step and went. some parts a bit slippery at first but nothing serious even without sticks like us, then about ten km before Santarém a passage a bit underwater but passable without difficulty. the stage was beautiful and we could get water at the two villages at 15 and 19 km. super welcome at the albergue and wise advice for a 150-year-old restaurant. the route ends 2.5 km before Santarém because I had no more battery.

Alhandra to Azambuja via Vila Franca de Xira and Vila Nova da Rainha on February 22, 2026. A nice stage up to Villafranca along the Tagus and then quiet trails with some water passages. we then arrive at the last town before Azambuja and we follow the national road. the path, as yesterday, was nicely redrawn contrary to everything I had read. we will go to the Azambuja pilgrim hostel, reserved for pilgrims, to call the volunteer just use the QR code on the entrance door which allows us to call to get the entrance code of the hostel. my article

O Caminho do Tejo, integrado num contexto geocultural junto ao rio Tejo, destaca-se pela ligação às planícies da Lezíria do Tejo e às Serras de Aire e Candeeiros. Este itinerário cultural e espiritual, atravessando paisagens serenas e territórios históricos, oferece uma experiência enriquecedora de conhecimento, encontro e partilha. Com o rio como horizonte, proporciona prazer nas descobertas, desde a beleza da paisagem ao património e à interação com as comunidades locais.