Cabo Espichel & Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel
Cabo Espichel & Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel
11 km west of Sesimbra, the remote Cabo Espichel features wild and windswept cliffs that drop almost vertically into the ocean. Near the often misty and mysterious cape and its lighthouse is the pilgrimage church of Nossa Senhora do Cabo.
The area featured in Wim Wenders' movie A Lisbon Story (1994).
History
Cabo Espichel is associated with the legend and cult of Nossa Senhora do Cabo. The story involves the discovery of an image of the Virgin Mary by two old men from nearby Caparica. Another legend has Mary ascending the cliffs on a donkey leaving behind hoof prints in the rock. These prints are actually the foot prints of dinosaurs! Of course, there was no knowledge of such things back then.
The Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel (Nossa Senhora da Pedra Mua) was built to house the image and quickly became a popular pilgrimage site, especially for people in the Lisbon area.
Lodgings, hermitages and even an opera house were also constructed for the increasing number of pilgrims along with an aqueduct to supply water and a cistern to store it.
The impressive Baroque church we see today dates from the early 18th century was designed by architect João Antunes. Enjoying royal patronage, especially during the reign of King João V, the church was richly decorated with azulejos tiles depicting the legend and painted ceilings by artist Lourenço da Cunha.
Later between 1760 and 1770, during the reign of King José I, kitchens, a wood store, stables, and the opera house (now ruined) were added.
Some other buildings of note include the Ermida da Memória, a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary also with azulejos showing the construction of the complex and pilgrimages to the site. The hermitage marks the place where the image of the Virgin that gave rise to the cult of Our Lady of Cabo Espichel was discovered in 1410.
The ornate Casa da Água includes a beautiful water fountain decorated with now faded blue and white azulejos.
Information
Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel
Cabo Espichel 2970 Sesimbra
Tel: 212 231 031
Local buses run out to the church but car hire is a more flexible option for reaching the cape.
Access - Getting to Sesimbra
From Lisbon there are TST buses from Sete Rios bus station and Alcântara (207 bus) and also from south of the Tagus in Cacilhas to Sesimbra (203 bus). on summer weekends it may be quicker to take the ferry across the River Tagus to Cacilhas to avoid the queues on the Ponte 25 de Abril.
The town also has buses to Setubal, Lagoa de Albufeira, Aldeia do Meco, and Cabo Espichel.
The bus station in Sesimbra is on Avenida de Liberdade.
Sesimbra is located in the district of Setúbal about 30 km west of the town of Setúbal itself. It is on the western edge of the beautiful Parque Natural da Arrábida and also an easy drive from the Troia Peninsula. Sesimbra Castle and the Fortaleza de Santiago are two local attractions in the town.
The southern edge of the Costa da Caparica is to the north of Sesimbra.
Also nearby is the pleasant wine-producing town of Azeitão - known for its white wines and runny cheese, best enjoyed together.
Accommodation
Some recommended hotels and other places to stay in Sesimbra include the Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra with outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar.
The Sesimbra Hotel & Spa boasts luxurious rooms with sea views, spa and outdoor swimming pool.
Also at the higher end of the market is the SANA Sesimbra Hotel a 4-star hotel with rooftop hot tub and an outdoor covered swimming pool.
More budget options are the Casa da Praça, Lá em Cima and Vila Canto do Lua, located a few kilometers north of town.
See here for a full listing of accommodation in Sesimbra.
Entertainment - Eat & Drink
There are some great seafood restaurants in Sesimbra but there are also other options too. Try O Zagaia at Rua Dr. Peixoto Correia 33 for great Portuguese cuisine, O Formiga at Rua da Cruz 11 or O Rodinhas at Rua Marques de Pombal 25.
Salmonete (red mullet) is a local specialty.
Aloha Cafe on Avenida 25 de Abril has a vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic menu.
