Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Muslim Moorish rule, was rediscovered during the Christian Reconquista in the 12th
century, when interest in the relic led to the establishment of the town. Today the church,
with its gilded Neoclassical interior and 17th-century Delft tiles (from the Netherlands),
is popular for weddings and other family religious occasions (which is why it has lots of
flowers).
On the left side of the nave, a large blue tile shows the story you'll find all over town:
Dom Fuas, a noble from the area, was hunting deer and became so absorbed in the chase
that he didn't realize he was about to go over the cliff. The Virgin Mary appeared sud-
denly and stopped him, saving his life. (The unfortunate deer didn't see Mary in time.) In
front of the church, admire the view from...
The Belvedere:
From the edge of the bluff you can survey Nazaré and its golden
beach stretching all the way to the new harbor. In the distance are the mostly uninhabited
Berlenga Islands. The pillar on the belvedere (“beautiful view”) is a stone
memorial
for
Vasco da Gama, erected in 1497 after he stopped here before leaving Europe for India.
The tiny chapel next to the monument sits on the spot where the Black Madonna hid in
the rocks for 400 years, as if waiting for the Moors to leave and for the Christians to re-
turn.
Several women (mostly from the same family, but competitive nevertheless) camp out
here in their over-the-top traditional fashions, selling munchies and Nazaré knickknacks.
This is a fine opportunity to buy
percebes
—boiled, addictively tasty, and ready-to-eat
