Pêgo da Cascalheira is a riverside landscape along the Ribeira do Vascão, with clear water. Nearby, specific waypoints on the Central Way, as well as churches, windmills and the singing group Mondadeiras de Santa Cruz, reflect different sides of the place: landscape and route planning on the one hand, history and culture on the other.

Vascão and the Central Way

The Ribeira do Vascão at Pêgo da Cascalheira is part of the Vale do Guadiana Special Protection Area and is home to rare specimens. There are several precise landmarks for the Central Way: the first stage begins at the Ribeira do Vascão, immediately beyond the pedestrian crossing beside the Cascalheira watermill.

The northern approach to the Central Way from Santa Cruz first follows the road towards Alcoutim, Martim Longo and Cachoupo. It then continues along an unpaved track towards Cerro das Águias and Monte Branco do Vascão. The Central Way enters the Alentejo via the Ribeira do Vascão; a further section then runs to the right for about 1,300 metres through the Vascão Valley to Monte Branco do Vascão. Check local road and track conditions before setting off.

A historic route through the Serra

The old Roman road is also part of Santa Cruz’s history. It passes through the Serra do Caldeirão and was once one of the most frequently used connections between the Algarve and the Alentejo. This brings two different perspectives together: the Central Way, with specific information about stages and access points, and an earlier route whose significance is described in historical terms.

Churches and windmills

The Igreja de Santa Cruz is located in the village of Santa Cruz in Almodôvar, secluded among agricultural land. Construction is thought to have begun in the 16th century. The ruins of the Capela de São Bento are located outside the Igreja Paroquial de Santa Cruz.

The Moinhos de Vento de Santa Cruz are a group of three identical windmills. They have circular floor plans, truncated conical structures, caps and cobalt-blue architectural decorative elements. The slightly curved row is arranged at roughly even intervals; the ensemble is under study. A truncated conical structure is flattened at the top rather than tapering to a point—a concise architectural detail that draws attention to the shape of the mills.

Songs and practical planning

The Grupo Coral e Etnográfico “Mondadeiras de Santa Cruz” was founded on 23 June 1999. Its repertoire includes songs related to Almodôvar, rural life and Cante ao Menino. Together with the buildings, this singing tradition adds its own cultural focus to the nature and route themes.

There is no shop in the village of Santa Cruz where travellers can stock up. Café A Colmeia do Vicente may be an option for overnight guests to ask about meal planning. Make arrangements directly with the café before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Santa Cruz, Évora, Alvito, Ferreira Do Alentejo, Almodôvar, Beja, Moura, Ourique

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