On Day 5, our itinerary was Chafe—Viana do Castelo—Areosa—Carreco—Afife, a distance of 17.9 km (10.7 mi), 4:44, 135m up/157m down. We walked through towns and villages, and along the ocean. We got lost on the trail along the coast so we got into Afife 7 1/2 hours after we started. We did spend some time seeing the sights in Viana do Castelo and had a nearly 2-hour lunch.
Leaving Casa da Reina, there were blue & yellow signs pointing the way.
Thirty minutes north of Casa da Reina, we passed Paco d’Anha Santiago church.
Statue of St. James in the niche above the doorway.
The interior of the church was pretty ornate.
Next, we passed the town washing basin.
Ponte Eiffel, inaugurated in 1878, crossing the Rio Lima. On the other side of the river is Viana do Castelo.
Monument to the Fishermen of the Rio Lima just before you cross the bridge.
On top of the hill in Viana do Castelo is the Santuario Santa Luzia. If you want to visit it, add 3 km to go up and down or take the funicular. The entrance is near the train station.
Viana do Castelo is a charming town with an appealing medieval center. The Praca da Republica is in the heart of the old center.
The Edificio da Misericordia (the Mercy Building) and its church has a Venetian arcade and 2-story loggia.
Viana do Castelo's Cathedral is both Gothic and Romanesque. The facade is from the 15th century when the two square towers were crowned with crenellation.
The Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia is an adorable Baroque chapel near the port. It is a shrine for the Virgin of Agony and was erected in 1674 for fishermen praying for good luck on their voyages. Every year, from August 17-20, there is a massive celebration with giant puppets, scores of floats and fireworks.
There's a lot to see in Viana do Castelo and I wished we had spent more time here. There isn't much in Carreco or Afife.
2022 09 30
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