Balugães combines a long history of pilgrimage with traces of Iron Age settlements and recurring pilgrimage dates. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the different periods represented here: the old parish church once provided accommodation for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, while local pilgrimages and community theatre offer recurring events. The archaeological record also spans a wide range of periods: the sites cover the time from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Pilgrimage history and sacred sites
Over time, the old parish church of São Martinho de Balugães provided accommodation for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. During Lent, stone crosses formed a Way of the Cross between the church and the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Aparecida. Balugães thus brings together two aspects of the pilgrimage tradition: historic accommodation for pilgrims bound for Santiago and a devotional route associated with Lent.
A pilgrimage takes place at the Capela dos Santos Bento, Amaro e António in July. The annual pilgrimage of Senhora da Aparecida falls on 15 August. There is also a chapel dedicated to Senhor dos Passos on the rock of the apparition. At the sanctuary, the Mosteiro da Senhora da Aparecida adds to the monumentality of the site.
Archaeology from prehistory to the Iron Age
There are about ten archaeological sites in Balugães from different periods. They span the time from prehistory to the Middle Ages and include sites from the Iron Age and the Romanisation period. The figure is approximate, but the range clearly covers more than a single period.
The Citânia da Carmona offers a glimpse of a specific Iron Age settlement: extensive ruins lie on Alto da Carmona. The settlement is divided between the parishes of Balugães and Carvoeiro. Thus, alongside the broad chronological range of the archaeological sites, there are the ruins of a particular Iron Age settlement.
Pilgrimage, theatre and walking traditions
Terreiro is a community theatre production in Balugães that everyone can take part in. It takes place every two years during the first week of August. This date differs from the annual pilgrimage of Senhora da Aparecida on 15 August: the production and the pilgrimage follow different schedules. If you would like to plan a trip around Terreiro, check whether the year you have in mind falls within its two-year cycle.
An earlier walking programme also included Balugães: “Pelos Prazeres do Vale do Neiva” was inspired by the exceptional scenic beauty and cultural heritage around the River Neiva.
Culinary traditions
Balugães’ culinary traditions include Sarrabulho with Rojões, Farinhotes and Tripas Enfarinhadas. Traditional sweets include Mexidos, Rabanadas, Aletria, Creme Queimado and Sonhos. These savoury dishes and sweets represent two distinct sides of the local food culture.
Discover more destinations: Durrães, Vila Frescainha (São Pedro), Quintiães, Barqueiros, Barcelos, Cossourado, Silva, Cambeses
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