The mines and mining ruins in Palmeira De Faro are concentrated particularly around Monte do Faro. Together with the PR5 “Pela Arriba Fóssil”, the Dólmen da Cruzinha and the churches, they highlight different aspects of the landscape, archaeology and religious heritage.

Walking Trails and Coastal Landscape

The PR5 “Pela Arriba Fóssil” runs along a large part of the ridge of the fossil cliff coast, which formed around 80,000 years ago. There, hikers can find numerous fossil traces dating from the time when the first land plants appeared. The trail therefore draws attention both to the shape of the coast and to traces of how it formed.

The PR5 also offers direct contact with the forest and the opportunity to observe the local flora and fauna. Monte Faro in Palmeira De Faro can serve as a starting point. The PR11 “Entre vales e quintas” starts at the Igreja Paroquial de Palmeira de Faro. The two trails can thus be distinguished by their respective starting points; the PR5 also focuses on coastal geology and nature observation.

The Miradouro de Monte de Faro offers another perspective on the landscape: from there, the view stretches along the Atlantic coast between Póvoa de Varzim and Esposende. The PR5 combines geological themes with nature observation, while the viewpoint puts the sweeping coastal panorama centre stage.

Archaeological Traces

The Dólmen da Cruzinha is a megalithic tomb in scrubland south of Quinta de S. Givas. It is thought to be intact. Its greatest diameter is 27 metres and its height is two metres—diameter and height thus give very different measurements for the tomb.

Castro Sr. dos Desamparados is a small settlement with a defensive system consisting of two walls. Characteristic round houses are also part of this archaeological site. The fortifications and the distinctive form of the houses therefore stand side by side as different aspects of the settlement.

Santa Eufémia is a small hill, 200 metres from the houses of Susão. According to local tradition, the remains of a chapel foundation are said to have been there. The house of Manuel de Boaventura is also in the district of Susão. Both references point to the same district, but to different places.

Churches and Annual Festivals

The original Igreja Paroquial de Palmeira de Faro dates from the 12th century. The church was remodelled in the neoclassical style in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its origins and later remodelling are thus two distinct stages in its architectural history.

The Capela do Senhor dos Desamparados was built on the Castro between 1825 and 1826, in fulfilment of a vow made during the French invasions. The Capela de Santo António was built in 1776 and restored in 1976. Together with the history of the parish church, these buildings reflect different construction periods and historical associations for the religious architecture in Palmeira De Faro.

The festival dates also differ clearly: the religious popular festival in honour of Santo António is celebrated every year on 13 June and is associated with the tradition of the “Missa dos Pássaros”. The Senhor dos Desamparados festival takes place every year on the first weekend in August. One date therefore falls on a fixed calendar day, while the other falls on a weekend.

Water at Fonte das 3 Bicas

The water at Fonte das 3 Bicas is not monitored. Do not assume that it is safe to drink.

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