ALMADA

Almada goes back as far as the Moslem occupation and was elevated to the status of city in 1973. In 1147, the founder of the Portuguese nationality, King D. Afonso Henriques, took control of it.

In the early stages is was handed over to the Santiago Order, before being turned over to the Crown in the reign of King D. Dinis. The town was true to the Mestre de Avis and was the scene of several important historical facts.

A Royal Charter was decreed on the town by King D. Manuel in 1513. The Alamadan district was made up of groups of townships, where maritime and industrial activity was of principal importance. Nowadays, metallurgical and shipbuilding industries have replaced the former cork and weaving industries.

Cova da Piedade, Cacilhas, Almada, Monte da Caparica, Murfacém, Trafaria, Costa da Caparica and Capuchos.

Start in the Cova da Piedade. Right in the centre of the township, a small church may be found which is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade. (Our Lady of Piety). In the same place some time before, a chapel dedicated to S. Caetano could be found.

In 1762, following the earthquake, the church was rebuilt. Inside, the church has one single aisle. Worthy of note are the blue and white tiles on the side walls of the main altar which date back to the second half of the XVIII and the polichrome rococo frames.

The themes of them are all connected to the life of the Virgin and the childhood of Jesus. The main altar, a golden woodcarving from the end of the VIII century also has some interesting imagery, particularly referring to the patron of the church before its reconstruction. The ceiling of the church also posseses fine paintings dedicated to the patron.

In Cacilhas, in one of the oldest quarters, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso (Our Lady of Great Success) may be found. This church is connected to a popular tradition said to have happened at the time of the earthquake. The waters of the River Tagus flooded their banks and were dangerously nearing the town. The fishermen were said to have grabbed images of the patron who, miraculously made the waters subside, thus saving the town from the tidal wave.

The façade is typical of the post-earthquake style. The sun-dials found in the left tower are worthy of note and are, without doubt, the finest of their kind in the area.

The blue and white tiles depict curious scenes relating to the Virgin. They are placed in the corridor which joins the vestry to the pulpit and date from 1718. In the vestry, two magnificent arks made of holy wood from the end of the XVIII century house liturgical trappings and ornaments belonging to the church.

The main body of the church is decorated by tiles. If the visitor visits the churches and chapels of the region, he will see how this art, so Portu-guese in nature, colours the walls with figurative pictures, many of which are the work of famous masters.

The tiles in this church were produced after the earthquake. The altarpiece of the main altar, as well as those of the lateral altars are all Neo-classical in design. On the altar, there is an image of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of Rosary) which is older than the church itself.

Along with this statue, sculptures of Santo António (St. Anthony), S. Lázaro (St. Lazarus), S. João Baptista (St. John the Baptist) and Santa Luzia, among others. Near the exit, the tomb of the church reformer can be found next to the portal. It dates from 1770 and bears the name Francisco Luís da Silva.

The old parochial church of Almada can be found next to the Castle and is known as the Church of Santiago. The insignia of the Santiago Order is engraved in the façade which gives this church the feeling of being from the XVII century which underwent alterations in the following century.

Almada should not be left without first visiting the Igreja do Convento de S. Paulo (Church of the St. Paul's Convent), which is, today, a Seminary. The façade of the building is simple, in the taste of XVIII Baroque style.

The resulting harmony of this agglomeration of buildings comes from the annexed outhouses which were part of the old convent dating from 1568. The church has a single aisle and the sides are covered with blue and white tiles from the same century as its reconstruction, representing scenes from the lives of saints.

The main altar and the side altars are Baroque woodcarvings from the XVIII century. The vestry is particularly picturesque because of the XVII century tiles and a remarkable painting which decorates the altar. The floor is covered in emblazoned headstones, among them is the one of the Convent's founder, Father Francisco Foreiro.

After Almada, the next suggested port of call is Monte da Caparica. This parish was created in 1472. The façade of the church is typical of those found in the era following the earthquake.

The church is known as Igreja da Nossa Senhora Monte (Our Lady of the Hill) and was built in place of a tiny chapel. Although together with Charneca da Caparica and Sobreda these towns are near the sea, they were considered to be rural areas.

The Church was financed by the sisterhood of Nossa Senhora da Concórdia. The interior houses some of the most beautiful collections of tiles in the area. The main altar is Neo-classic in style and decorated with yellow and sepia medallions over a white background.

The tiles on the lateral walls are from a time slightly before those of the main altar and biblical scenes in blue and white depicting Canticles may be found. The church is XVII century in scope but it has suffered later transformations even though the arch was restored from the initial church.

The exquisite Neo-classical tiles of the baptistry as well as those on the side walls could have been produced in Lisbon in the Fábrica do Rato.

As we approach the coast, near the parish of Trafaria, a pleasant township called Murfacém may be found. It is considered to be the oldest township of Almada: traces of Moslem occupation vouch for its age: an ancient mosque with interesting lines and some water-tanks. It is however, into the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo that we extend our invitation to enter.

It is part of a palatial mansion whose owners are pleased to share it with the public. It is Neo-classical in design and houses three XVIII century images which are of high quality. The Pombaline tiles are probably from the beginning of the XIX century as is the altar. The antependium in hard canvas is from the XVIII century.

This chapel belonged to the Carmelite Convent, which has since been transformed into houses. On Sundays, the owners open the Chapel doors to receive the worshippers who strangely enough consider it theirs.

In Trafaria, a former fishermen's enclave, we discover that the church, dedicated to S. Pedro was built as a result of donations. The fishermen have held a procession in honour of the Saint on 29 of June every year. Some years ago, Trafaria was a popular beach spot until people, little by little, started to frequent the Costa da Caparica. Today the population of Trafaria is quite cosmopolitan in nature.

Many years ago, the Costa was also a fishing village. it houses a small parochial church from the end of the XVI century which underwent remodelling in the XVIII century. The carved wooden altar piece of national origin is interesting to have a look at.

As we leave the area, an exceptional monument should be visited, a convent from the XVI century called the Capuchos The Serlian portal is from the XVI century but the pediment and the window which is situated half way along the front are typical of post-earthquake style. Two coats-of-arms flank the door, one of the founder and the other of the Franciscans.

At the top of the façade a sculpture of Santo António sits in a niche. Once through the portal, the narthex - from the end of the XVI century - covered in decorative tiles from the XVIII century depicts scenes from Franciscan life.

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