Pego is known as “Aldeia das Casas Baixas” and lies on the Rota de Abrantes. You don’t have to start exploring the village by hiking alone: dance traditions, archaeological traces and small details of village life also reveal different sides of Pego.
Pego on the Rota de Abrantes
The Rota de Abrantes is part of the Caminho do Médio Tejo. It is 91 kilometres long in total and divided into four stages; Pego is named as a place on the route. The total length and number of stages give you a clear sense of the route’s overall scale, without implying that the individual sections are all the same. If you are interested in hiking, you can consider Pego as part of a multi-stage route.
Archaeological traces near Coalhos
The area of Coalhos, between Pego and Rossio ao Sul do Tejo, is notable for its archaeological finds. Until 1995, it was considered the area with the highest known concentration of chipped stone tools in the MunicĂpio Abrantes. It also had the earliest known archaeological date recorded in the MunicĂpio until 1995. This is attributed to the Abbevillian or Lower Acheulean.
The sites in the Coalhos area are only loosely defined in some places and are connected with the Ribeira de Coalhos. This tributary of the Tagus flows from southeast to northwest. The settlement history is also described with caution: today’s Freguesia Pego may have been one of the places in the MunicĂpio Abrantes where people first settled permanently. This is a possible interpretation, not a certainty.
Fandango, dance and local cuisine
The form of Fandango in Pego is considered a variant of Fandango Ribatejano. Another facet of the musical tradition is the Despique, a contest that is still alive today. At the same time, the custom of dancing in the parish church has been lost. Historically, young people from Pego practised a few dances in the churchyard of the parish church on Sundays and public holidays; this practice should not be confused with a present-day performance.
Rancho Folclórico da Casa do Povo de Pego is a folk group from Pego. Its history goes back to 1953. Local cuisine is also part of the cultural heritage: bucho and tripa are typical snacks from Pego. A report from October 2024 mentions the book “O que é o comer?”, published by the Confraria do Bucho e Tripas do Pego. It contains 89 recipes and was published to preserve Pego’s culinary traditions.
Small details of the village
The chapel dedicated to Senhor dos Aflitos is just three metres long. In Jardim do Cruzeiro, the Pia dos Burros served as a watering trough for donkeys. The Fontanário da Igreja is located in Pego’s Largo. These details differ in scale and function, from the small chapel to a former everyday use and a named place in the Largo.
Rural tourism and horse riding
VDF–Vale de Ferreiros is a rural tourism business in Pego with an equestrian centre. There, you can train, take part in competitions and go riding along the Tagus. For travellers interested in horse riding, it is a specific accommodation example where the activities mentioned are directly associated with the equestrian centre.
Discover more destinations: Pego, Mação, Constância, Ferreira Do Zêzere, Tomar, Chamusca, Vila Nova Da Barquinha, Alcanena.
For the broader travel overview: Santarem.
