Monte de São Félix rises 200 metres above sea level in Laundos. From there, visitors can look out over the ocean. Windmills and the Monumento ao Emigrante add traces of history to the landscape: the mills recall their former use, while the monument commemorates emigration to Brazil.
Windmills and Remembrance on the Hill
Five windmills still stand on Monte de São Félix. Two have retained their original size, and one of them can still grind grain. The mills add to the hill’s appeal; at the one that can still grind, their original purpose also becomes tangible.
The Monumento ao Emigrante on the hill commemorates Portuguese people who emigrated to Brazil in search of a better life. It was inaugurated on 5 September 1998. The monument has been maintained since 2019 and is freely accessible to the public. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
Crafts and Traces of the Past
Laundos’s craft tradition includes patchwork blankets and rugs. Until the end of the 20th century, patchwork material replaced linen, and particularly valuable blankets were made from it on looms. This craft offers a tangible example of how materials and production methods changed over time.
The “Arrecadas de Laúndos” also offer a glimpse into an older history: these protohistoric earrings were found in the remains of the local Castro. Other local sights include the Way of the Cross in Laundos, the Calvário. A chapel was built at the foot of the hill sometime after 1825 and before 1845.
Pilgrimages Throughout the Year
The pilgrimage to São Félix takes place on the first Sunday in September. The pilgrimage to Nossa Senhora da Saúde falls on the first Sunday in August and lasts three days. This seven-kilometre walking route leads to the sanctuary in Laundos. If you plan to visit for one of these traditions, check the current programme.
The origins of the devotion at the Nossa Senhora da Saúde sanctuary are associated with a pilgrimage from Póvoa to Laúndos. Today’s route and this historical connection offer two different perspectives on the tradition: the journey to the sanctuary and the account of its beginnings.
Regional Connections and More Experiences
The Ecopista de Famalicão is a regional link running from the rural inland area around Vila Nova de Famalicão to the Atlantic coast around Póvoa de Varzim. It provides direct connections to Famalicão railway station and Póvoa de Varzim metro station. A municipal timetable dated 3 December 2024 also lists the “P. Ind. de Laundos - 1” stop, with departure times. Check the current timetable before travelling.
The “Volta Atlântica” offers another perspective on the area: this private panoramic flight departs from Aeródromo de Laúndos and lasts 30 or 60 minutes. Availability may change, so check current booking options.
Discover more destinations: Laundos, Vila Nova De Famalicão, Luzim, Freamunde, Penafiel, Penalva Do Castelo, Paços De Ferreira, Moreira.
For the main travel overview: Porto.
