Discover Vacariça: Churches, Pelourinho and Mills

Vacariça brings together churches, a Pelourinho and mill sites in a destination with historical themes. These range from the first recorded mention of the place name to buildings dating from the 16th and 18th centuries. There are also heraldic details and routes that focus on mills. If you would like to consider local history and architecture when choosing a destination, these varied themes offer points of interest.

History and architectural styles

The first recorded mention of the name Vacariça dates from 1002 and appears in a donation recorded in the Livro Preto of Coimbra Cathedral. The Igreja Paroquial da Vacariça is thought to have been built after 1280. In October 1743, Frei Pedro da Conceição designed the octagonal Capela do Senhor do Cruzeiro in Vacariça. Octagonal means having eight sides and describes a specific feature of the chapel’s shape. The dates refer to different aspects: 1002 to the first recorded mention of the name, and the later dates to building history.

The Igreja de São Vicente preserves a stone pulpit, turned balusters and a wooden sounding board from the first half of the 18th century. Turned balusters are a crafted architectural detail. It is hypothesized that the present parish church of Vacariça, dedicated to São Vicente, was built on the site of the former Mosteiro da Vacariça to continue religious practices carried out there.

Pelourinho and manor house

The Pelourinho da Vacariça has stood at Largo Visconde de Valdoeiro in Vacariça since 3 June 1929. The monument displays the coat of arms of Vacariça as well as smaller coats of arms of Portugal, the Order of Malta, the Five Wounds of Christ and Mealhada. Visitors interested in heraldic imagery will find several specific motifs in one place.

The Solar da Vacariça is an agricultural manor house whose origins date back to the 16th century. This adds another type of building to the religious structures. Those comparing buildings can therefore explore different forms of Vacariça’s historical heritage without assuming they had the same use or building history.

Mills and routes

The Trilho dos Moinhos da Vacariça invites visitors to discover notable mill sites such as Parque dos Moinhos do Lograssol and Moinho de Santa Cristina. Moinho de Santa Cristina in Santa Cristina, Vacariça, is a working watermill. The Mealhada branch of the Grande Rota do Bussaco is another route option: it passes through the spa town of Luso and along the mills of the Vacariça stream. Check the current route details if you plan to include this route in your trip.

Getting to the parish area

The parish of Vacariça can be reached via National Road No. 1 from Mealhada, taking the E.M. to Vacariça, and via National Road No. 336 from Pampilhosa do Botão to Luso. These details describe road connections within the parish area, not a route through the town centre. As road connections may change, check the current route details before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Pampilhosa do Botão, Mealhada, Luso, Antes, Grada.

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