We had finished our walk on the Caminho do Este de Portugal, from Faro to Mértola, but the Camino itself is far from finished. Still there are lots of days and kilometres before it ends in Santiago de Compostela. To continue or not to continue, will be decided at a later point. Nevertheless, we deem these few days a success, having had some wonderful days on this little known Camino.
Before heading back towards Faro and our flights back home, we had some time to explore Mértola. It is a lovely town and so a perfect place to end a partial pilgrimage in. I will not go in detail about our and mine exploration of the town, but if you are ever to visit this town, these are the sights I will recommend that you go and see. As the medieval Castelo de Mértola sits atop the town, it was also the sight that was atop my wishlist of what to see here. Below the castle lies the Necropolis. And also the wonderful Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação, and old mosque turned into a church. Take a walk to the old clocktower, Torre do Relógio and then leave the safety of the city walls to explore the area next to the Guadiana river, with them the remains of the old Torre do Rio ou da Couraça. Walk over to a hill overlooking Mértola, with small chapel Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Neves on top. And of course, go around in the charming small streets of Mértola itself. There are more to see than what I got to cover.
Just before we left Mértola Jorun and Laila had discovered a shop where we could get the trespassing-wine from, so Gry sets out to buy some bottles. Then we take place in our taxis and drives back to Faro. On the way, we pass by places we have walked by on the Caminho do Este de Portugal. And we do make some exclamations when we spot another pilgrim walking, there are others walking this route, albeit few.
The Caminho do Este de Portugal is a pilgrimage I would love to finish at some time. We will have to see what happens with the continuation of our arranged group walk. It gets more complicated after Mértola, especially in terms of places to stay. If we decide not to arrange a continuation, I know that I will at one point return to walk the rest of the way to Santiago de Compostela. Based on the week we had, it is a lovely Camino.
Street in Mértola, with the castle.
Knitting on a tree and the castle.
Art on the wall of the Biblioteca Municipal de Mértola.
Mercado municipal.
Looking up at the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação.
A 'keyhole' door in Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação.
Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação, which was originally a mosque.
Mértola from the castle keep of the Castelo de Mértola.
Castelo de Mértola.
The courtard of Castelo de Mértola.
Courtyard with the castle keep.
A stone insignia.
The necropolis behind the castle.
Ruínas do Castelo de Mértola.
Castle keep from the necropolis.
Mural in the Ruínas do Castelo de Mértola.
Remnans of moorish architecture in Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação.
The hill with Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Neves on top.
Mértola from Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Neves.
Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Neves.
<< Mértola // day 7
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