Nazaré - Portugal |
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Nazaré is an old fishing village. In the old days, before the new harbour was built, the fishing boats were pulled on to the beach by oxen. Going out to sea the were pulled by hand to the surf until a favourable wave would take them out. When I was there the fisherman's women were still wearing the traditional dress; a black kerchief and the seven flannel skirts. Nazaré is divided in three parts, Pederneira, the old city centre, Praya (meaning beach) and Sitio, built on a a rock 110 m. above the old city. You can get to Sitio by funicular or by car, following the signs to Marinha Grande. From Sitio you'll have a wonderful panoramic view over Nazaré and it's beach. The Nazaré beach is considered one of Portugal's most beautiful.
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| Favourite spots: |
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The boulevard. All along the boulevard there are restaurants and bars with terraces. Sitio. Take the funicular. Built in 1899, originally it was steam powered. In the Sito plaza you'll find the big church, Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, and a small chapel. The chapel is connected with the legend of Fuas Rupinho. On a misty September morning in 1180 Fuas Rupinho, while hunting, was chasing a deer. All of a sudden he saw the deer falling down into the ocean. Realizing he was in mortal danger he cried out Maria, help me An invisible hand stopped the horse on the very edge of the cliff, thus saving Fuas. Two years later he had the small chapel built where his horse had stopped.
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| What's really great: |
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The delicious fresh fish and gambas that are served in the restaurants and bars. The boulevard and the beautiful beach. When I was there, along the boulevard there was still an old ship-yard where wooden fishing boats were built the same way as centuries before. The delicious Portugese port-wine.
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| Sights: |
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Sitio with its church, Fuas Rupinho's chapel and the panoramic view.
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| Accommodations: |
HOTEL DA NAZARÉ ***
HOTEL PRAIA ***
HOTEL MARÉ ***
Besides the hotels you can find many hostals and pensions and private rooms, very fairly prices.
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| Hangouts: |
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Mostly along the boulevard
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| Restaurants: |
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There are some 50 restaurants in Nazaré, a lot of them along the boulevard, where you can get delicious fish dishes. Here I've had the best gambas ever.
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Published on Thursday October 10th, 2002 by lonewolf
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