On the edge of the village of Chancelaria stands the Igreja Paroquial de Chancelaria. The PR3 TNV Moinhos da Pena offers a different thematic perspective: this 9-kilometre circular trail follows rural paths through extensive olive groves and across the Chã da Serra plateau. For planning your trip, you can distinguish between two interests: the architectural and local history surrounding the church and mills, and the scenery along the circular walk. There is also the Pena d’Água karst spring, evidence of archaeological settlement at the Abrigo da Pena d’Água, and the Festa de Santa Eufémia. Together, these topics range from a historic cross to a specific route through the landscape.
Church, Cross and Local History
The Igreja Paroquial de Chancelaria is the successor to an earlier, very simple church, which was also dedicated to Santa Eufémia. The two churches are therefore historically linked through their dedication and the sequence of their construction. A cross stands in front of the parish church. Insignia of the Passion are carved on both sides, and the inscription reads “Lvz et vita”. The cross probably dates from 1679. The insignia of the Passion refer to the suffering of Christ and give the monument a religious imagery. The inscription and probable date provide further clues to the building’s history. Those interested in religious architecture and commemorative culture can consider several aspects together here: the earlier simple church, its successor and the cross in front of the church.
Moinhos da Pena: Mills and Their Former Use
Eight of the twelve Moinhos da Pena are in the municipality of Chancelaria. The windmills were formerly used to grind grain. There is also an information board at the Moinhos da Pena with thematic information about the group of windmills. The number, former function and board offer different perspectives: the number places the mills within the municipality, their use points to grain milling, and the board adds thematic information about the group. This allows you to focus on the Moinhos da Pena both in terms of their role in the municipality and their former work. For those interested in culture, the combination of these specific details is particularly appealing: it is not just the name of a group of mills, but also their number, former purpose and the information available on site.
Circular Walk through Olive Groves and Plateau
The PR3 TNV Moinhos da Pena is a 9-kilometre circular trail. It follows rural paths through extensive olive groves on the Chã da Serra plateau. At its northern end, the route runs for about one kilometre along the Ribeira do Caneiro. The two distances describe different things: nine kilometres for the entire circular trail, and about one kilometre for the section at the northern end. This places the river section within the larger loop without adding it to the total distance. The route description names several landscape features that define the trail’s character: rural paths, olive groves, the plateau and the stretch along the Ribeira. If you enjoy combining different landscape features on a circular walk, this trail offers a clearly defined option.
Spring, Archaeological Traces and Festival
Pena d’Água is a karst spring that feeds the Ribeira do Alvorão. Evidence of human settlement dating from the Neolithic period, between 10,000 and 5,000 BC, has been found at the Abrigo da Pena d’Água. The name Pena d’Água is therefore associated with two different things: the spring and its hydrological function, and the Abrigo and its archaeological history. These topics add natural and settlement history to the picture of the mills and the route.
The Festa de Santa Eufémia takes place every year in Chancelaria on the second weekend of August. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific dates for the year in question. The name Santa Eufémia also appears in the Igreja Paroquial de Chancelaria, which is dedicated to this saint. A permanent religious building and an annual festival are thus linked to the same place.
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