Lamego

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Today rain caught up with us. Portugal and the Douro region were happy, as we had already learned the past summer had been the driest in many years. Our shore excursion from Régua was to Lamego. Lamego is famous for the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. The Bishop of Lamego founded the pilgrimage site as an alternate to Santiago de Compostella. Pilgrims seek healing for themselves or family or a friend. The Rococo church was built in 1750-1905, replacing a 14th century church on the site. Inside is a gilded high altar with the image of Our Lady of Remedies (Nossa Senhora dos Remédios) carved in wood. Photography is not permitted inside the church. In the small park adjoining the church are two very old chestnut trees, estimated to be over 700 years old.

What attracts the attention of visitors to Lamego is the Baroque staircase up to the church from the main street. The staircase has 686 steps with landings decorated with blue and white Azuelo tiles, statues, obelisks and fountains. As it was raining and slippery, Susan and I did not attempt the walk down. (A few members of the tour group did.) We took the coach back to the main square. Two hours of free time were allotted to explore the town. We took the opportunity to stop in at a pharmacy, take in the view of the entire staircase from below and then look for souvenirs along Rua Macário de Castro, the shopping street. I had grown fond of the piri-piri Portuguese hot sauce available aboard the ship. I looked for similar sauces, included at a gourmet food shop, but to no avail. It just does no compete with wine and olive oil around here.

Meanwhile, the rain continued. After shopping we went to the Lamego Museum where it was dry. The museum is undergoing renovation and so most of the exhibits are closed. A photographic exhibit, Em construção, documented the renovation work on the museum building. In the foyer, several granite coats of arms from older Lamego buildings were on display.

The sun came out just in time to reboard the coach for the return to Peso da Régua. A rainbow came out over the Medieval Castelo de Lamego on a hilltop overlooking the town.

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Photos

Escadarias do Santuário
Escadarias do Santuário - The 686 step staircase leading up to the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Built between 1778 and 1868.
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Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (1750-1905). It is the second most visited pilgrimage site in Portugal (after Fátima).
"The Santuario dos Remedios, or pilgrimage-church, affords a wide panorama".--Baedeker 1913
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Ancient Chestnut Tree
Parque de Nossa Senhora dos remédios.
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Chestnut Tree
The chestnut tree is though to be about 750 yers old. Parque de Nossa Senhora dos remédios.
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Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (1750-1905). It is the second most visited pilgrimage site in Portugal (after Fátima).
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Pátio dos Reis
Pátio dos Reis - Stairway landing of the Biblical Kings of Israel.
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Pátio dos Reis
Pátio dos Reis - Stairway landing of the Biblical Kings of Israel.
"The Santuario dos Remedios, or pilgrimage-church, affords a wide panorama".--Baedeker 1913
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Homenagem ao Regimento de Infantaria 9
Lamego World War I War Memorial.
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Sé Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assunção
Sé Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assunção - Lamego Cathedral.
"The Gothic Cathedral was founded in 1129 by Affonso Henriques".--Baedeker 1913
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Lamego Museum
Lamego Museum, the former Bishop’s Palace built in 1776. Largo de Camões.
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Lamego Museum
Lamego Museum, the former Bishop’s Palace, built in 1776. Largo de Camões.
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Coat of Arms of Portugal
Coat of Arms of Portugal, 16th Century. Lamego Musuem.
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Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms, ca. 1750-1800. Lamego Museum.
Granite coat of arms, from the second half of the 18th century, from Casa do Poço, from the Carvalho Rebelo de Meneses family, in Terreiro da Sé, in Lamego.
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Lamego Museum Courtyard.
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Dom Miguel, Bishop of Lamego
Statue of Dom Miguel (1601-1644). He was Bishop of Lamego in 1536-1641 and ambassador to the Holy See in 1641-1642.
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Castelo de Lamego
Lamego (Lameca) was founded as a Roman town, It was occupied by the Moors from the 9th to the 11th centuries. The castle tower keep and dungeons were constructed in the 12 century, followed by the fortification walls in the 13th century.
"Above the old town rises a Moorish Castle".--Baedeker 1913
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Rainbow Over Lamego
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Billboard for the Lamego Burger King
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