Casas Novas can be understood through three distinct aspects: the pilgrimage tradition in the surrounding area, the PR9 Rota de Peregrinação do Senhor dos Aflitos, and the history of the Casas Novas estate. These themes offer different perspectives on religious practice, rural landscapes, and historic land use. When planning a trip, it is helpful to consider the pilgrimages, the pilgrimage route, and the estate as distinct points of interest.
Pilgrimage Tradition and Sanctuary
Throughout the year, pilgrimages take place in the area around Casas Novas to the Santuário de Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos; there is also an annual festival with the character of a Romaria. Thus, a pilgrimage tradition that recurs throughout the year and an annually celebrated occasion exist side by side. This distinction helps to understand religious practice throughout the year and the annual festival as two separate aspects. The Santuário has a large church, built in 1815, which preserves an older chapel dating from before 1720. Inside are votive offerings left by the faithful. The sanctuary therefore brings together two building phases: the older chapel and the later church. The votive offerings add evidence of religious practice to this architectural perspective.
The PR9 and Its Landscape
Casas Novas is listed on the PR9 Rota de Peregrinação do Senhor dos Aflitos. The route is a pilgrimage trail through rural landscapes with Montado and pastureland; it passes through Montado fields and by granite outcrops. These landscape features give the pilgrimage trail a character of its own alongside its religious theme. The route leads to the Barragem do Zé dos Cães, where water-management structures can be observed. A detour to the Barragem do Campino is also possible; the additional round trip is about five kilometres. The two water-related stops offer different route options: Zé dos Cães is a destination on the route, while Campino is an optional extension. The shared connection to pilgrimage between the pilgrimages and the PR9 does not mean they are the same: the pilgrimages focus on the Santuário in the area around Casas Novas, while the PR9 describes a rural route with an optional additional section.
Casas Novas Estate: Construction and Use
The Casas Novas estate includes an Alentejo Monte building, constructed in the late 19th century. The estate is one of the agricultural properties that served crop and livestock production. Its construction history and agricultural function therefore offer two distinct perspectives on the estate. Responsibility for Casas Novas is provisionally attributed to the Elias Martins family, particularly to the philanthropist and farmer José Elias Martins (1886–1966). This family perspective complements the construction and land-use history, but remains explicitly a provisional attribution. The estate’s history can thus be understood both through its building and construction period, and through its agricultural context and the cautiously attributed responsibility.
Discover more destinations: Belver, Vale do Peso, Santo Aleixo, Ribeira de Nisa e Carreiras, Fadagosa, Chança, Elvas, Monte Sete
For the wider travel overview: Portalegre.
