Overview of Attractions in Cartaxo
- Igreja de São João Batista
- Cruzeiro Manuelino
- Museu Rural e do Vinho do Cartaxo
- Capela do Senhor dos Passos
- Centro Cultural Município do Cartaxo
- Aldeia de Palhota
- Quintas
- Estátua de Marcelino Mesquita
- Praça de Toiros do Cartaxo
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Purificação
- Eleição do Rei e da Rainha das Vindimas
- Falcoaria Real
- Santarém
- Viticulture
- Local food
The town of Cartaxo is surrounded by a landscape of vineyards on the fertile right bank of the River Tagus.
Wine plays a significant role in the narrative of Cartaxo, as every autumn, the town elects a King and Queen of the Vineyards to preside over the forthcoming year.
Additionally, there are numerous sites and activities to engage in throughout the municipality, whether you are exploring historic churches or discovering traditional fishing communities characterized by wooden houses elevated on stilts.
In the Ribatejo region, bullfighting remains an integral part of local culture, with events scheduled during the summer months. For those seeking family-oriented activities, a horseback ride at an expansive estate in the countryside is also available.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Cartaxo:
1. Igreja de São João Batista
The parish church of Cartaxo embodies the classic elements of Portuguese religious architecture. The chancel walls are adorned with quintessential blue and white azulejos (painted, glazed tiles), depicting scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist.
Furthermore, at the end of the chancel stands the main altar, shimmering with Baroque gilt-wood that was particularly favored in Portugal during the 18th century.
The facade displays an inscription commemorating the consecration of the church in 1522, succeeding an earlier church that existed since 1329.
2. Cruzeiro Manuelino
The impressive cross adjacent to the parish church was sculpted in the early 1500s.
This era, during the reign of King Manuel I, was characterized by an ornate architectural style combining High Gothic and Renaissance elements, known as Manueline.
The cross, which depicts Senhor dos Aflitos Crucificado (Crucified Lord of the Afflicted), showcases extraordinary intricacy and craftsmanship, with figures that are so minute that close inspection is necessary.
It is noteworthy that this entire piece was carved from a single block of stone.
3. Museu Rural e do Vinho do Cartaxo
The museum, located in a restored farmhouse (quinta), provides insight into the agricultural heritage of Cartaxo and daily life during the early 20th century.
The original wine cellar has been revitalized, featuring extensive displays of traditional dress, farming implements, bullfighting gear, and copper stills.
This experience is enriched by vivid archival photographs from the period.
A reconstructed tavern from those times allows visitors to step back in time, showcasing vintage posters and antique wooden furnishings.
4. Capela do Senhor dos Passos
This chapel, located on Rua Mouzinho de Albuquerque, dates back to the early 16th century and was initially part of a mansion known as Casa e Solar dos Sousa Lobatos.
This residence served as the headquarters for General Wellington in 1810, raising the possibility that he sought solace here.
The chapel features unmistakable Manueline architecture, particularly evident in the facade with its elegant portal topped by a coat of arms.
Inside, notable elements include the coffered ceiling in the chancel and the decorative arch that separates the chancel from the nave.
5. Centro Cultural Município do Cartaxo
If you find yourself in Cartaxo during the evening without any specific plans, the municipal cultural center likely has various events scheduled.
This contemporary venue, inaugurated in 2005, resides where the town’s cinema previously stood.
It serves as a multidisciplinary space with two auditoriums that host live music performances, theatrical productions, dance shows, and regular screenings of new films.
If your proficiency in Portuguese is lacking, this venue is advantageous as many films are screened with English audio in Portugal.
6. Aldeia de Palhota
Located away from the conventional tourist routes, Palhota is a fishing hamlet accessible via a lengthy track leading to the riverbank.
Visiting Palhota offers a glimpse into a time long past, as residents still derive their livelihoods from the river.
This village emerged in the early 20th century when fishing families migrated from coastal regions to the Tagus.
The area is replete with fishing equipment, featuring a rickety pier and various painted weatherboard houses elevated on stilts to prevent flooding.
Palhota gained prominence in the 20th century when acclaimed writer Alves Redol spent time living with the fishing community and chronicled their experiences.
7. Quintas
“Quintas” are traditional Portuguese farmhouses with extensive land.
Although many date back several centuries, the typical image conjured is that of a Baroque-style mansion from the 1700s.
Numerous examples of such estates exist within the Cartaxo municipality, and five of them offer visitors opportunities to engage in rural activities.
These include Quinta de Baia de Baixo, Quinta do Gaio de Cima, Quinta das Malhadas, Quinta da Marchanta, and Quinta da Broiera.
Visitors can typically enjoy horseback riding on a Lusitano horse, swimming, navigating a treetop assault course, or allowing children to feed farm animals.
8. Estátua de Marcelino Mesquita
Despite being a modest attraction, this statue honors the prolific writer Marcelino Mesquita, who is considered one of Cartaxo’s most distinguished figures.
He was a notable playwright, journalist, and poet, and after his death in 1919, the local newspaper organized a fundraising campaign to erect a statue in his honor.
This statue, designed by one of the leading sculptors of the time, Leopoldo de Almeida, has adorned the plaza in front of the town hall since 1956. Adjacent to it is a small garden where local residents can often be seen enjoying the shade under leafy trees.
9. Praça de Toiros do Cartaxo
Similar to many towns within the Ribatejo plains, Cartaxo boasts a bullfighting heritage that spans several centuries.
The current bullring in Cartaxo hosted its inaugural fight in 1874 and now accommodates 5,500 spectators, who gather for summer “corridas.”
If this piques your interest, details about upcoming events can be obtained from the local tourist office.
In the context of traditional Portuguese bullfighting, the bull is not killed in the ring, which makes it more suitable for a wider audience.
For those who wish to appreciate the arena itself, occasional summer concerts take place in this impressive venue.
10. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Purificação
The parish church in Pontével dates back to the 1100s, although it has undergone numerous renovations since its inception.
Most of the current architecture originates from the 1600s, complemented by intriguing features from earlier time periods.
The vibrant azulejos, reminiscent of carpets on the walls, may date as far back as the 1500s, and the church includes tombs of some of Pontével’s notable figures.
The exquisite baptismal font, crafted in the 1600s, corresponds with the frescoes adorning the ceiling of the chancel.
The three altars, which showcase sinuous gilded woodcarving, were created in the 1700s.
11. Eleição do Rei e da Rainha das Vindimas
This jovial tradition is approaching its 30th anniversary.
Each autumn, around the time of the grape harvest in September or October, a gala event is held to crown the King and Queen of the Vineyards, judged by their skills and knowledge.
Young individuals from all six parishes of Cartaxo compete for this honor, a tradition established to promote Cartaxo’s wine and to preserve local customs and culture.
Until 2014, only a Queen of the Vineyards was crowned, but since then, in the interest of gender equality, a king has also been elected each year.
12. Falcoaria Real
In Portugal, falconry is designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, making it a unique opportunity to observe trained falcons up close.
Visitors can experience this in Salvaterra de Magos, an enchanting drive across the Tagus and through picturesque vineyards and farms.
The town was once home to a Royal Palace, which was destroyed by fire in 1824, leaving behind only a chapel and the royal falconry school.
The exhibition within the mansion delves into the royal family’s connections with falconry, and guests receive a tour of the historic aviary, where they can see the birds up close and witness a live flight demonstration.
13. Santarém
The expansive countryside of the Ribatejo plain is punctuated by the charming medieval city of Santarém, perched upon a sudden escarpment.
Given the extensive low-lying terrain that extends to the south, east, and west, it is evident why this city has been a sought-after location since prehistoric times; from the Portas do Sol, a garden within the walls of Santarém’s castle, one can survey the land for miles.
The city’s elevated status is reinforced by magnificent Gothic churches, including the Igreja da Graça, and an opulent diocesan museum of sacred art.
14. Viticulture
With vineyards sprawled across the countryside, Cartaxo declared itself “Capital do Vinho” in 1988. This initiative aimed to boost tourism and agriculture, leading to the establishment of the annual Festa do Vinho, a four-day event featuring markets and live music.
The fertile soils of the river plain, coupled with a climate moderated by the Tagus and the Atlantic, yield highly regarded, well-balanced wines.
The primary wine-growing regions in Cartaxo include the “Campo” for whites produced from Fernão Pires, Arinto, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc and the “Bairro” for reds made from Touriga Nacional, Merlot, Carignan, or Syrah.
15. Local food
Since the discovery of the New World, maize has been extensively harvested on the Tagus plain, primarily for pão de milho (cornbread). This aromatic bread is available in local bakeries or may be enjoyed in a dish known as migas, in which the bread is soaked in water and then fried in olive oil and garlic.
The Ribatejo region is home to a wide array of recipes that have been passed down through generations. Sopa da pedra (“stone soup”) features beans, bacon, and chouriço; however, the stone is not an actual ingredient but part of an amusing origin story.
Adventurous diners can indulge in rustic dishes such as pig’s trotters, roasted kid goat, or mullet served in a lemon and pepper sauce.