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About Nazare
A coastal town, set on a cliff over a long stretch of sand, popular for its beach, water sports facilities and charming old town.
Nazare, a scenic and charming coastal town on Portugal’s Silver Coast, is famous for its massive waves, laidback vibe, and beautiful beaches, and it has become a popular tourist destination – especially for surfers! The Big Waves season in Nazare is during their winter – between October and March – and the town has made headlines with its waves of close to 100 feet!
The town also boasts a maze of narrow, picturesque cobbled alleys that descend to a wide stretch of beach surrounded by cliffs, and it is home to delicious seafood restaurants serving the freshest catches.
While the beach is a large part of the culture in Nazare, the town is also home to historic religious landmarks. In fact, if its name is reminiscent of the biblical city, Nazareth, you’re spot on! The town got its name because a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary made the long journey from Nazareth to Nazare in the 8th century via monks who settled in a small cave on a cliff above the ocean.
According to legend, four hundred years later, as the morning mist covered a cliff, a knight on horseback chased a light-footed doe. The doe jumped off the cliff, and the horse almost followed her until the Holy Mary appeared and stopped them from jumping to their deaths. In gratitude, the knight built a small chapel at the edge of the cliff, the Ermida Da Memoria, also known as the Chapel of Our Lady of Nazare, which was visited by several famous pilgrims, including Vaso da Gama. The current church, decorated with beautiful Dutch tiles, is a 17th century baroque monument which was built on the site of the 14th century chapel.
Upper Nazare can be reached by cable car, and it is simply beautiful -especially the village of Sitio which, as a result of its high elevation of about 361 feet, offers spectacular views from all sides. The Promontorio do Sitio is the best known observation point. There is a large church in Upper Nazare, The Convent of Our Lady of Jesus, also known as the Church of the Hospital due to the hospital located next door. The church is one of the best preserved examples of Portuguese Mannerism architecture. There is an annual pilgrimage in September to Sitio, a religious festival with dancing and bullfights that is called Nossa Senhora Da Nazare.
If you’re interested in festivals, Nazare’s annual Carnival draws both locals and visitors to its festivities. These include masquerade balls, colorful parades, entertainment, and other traditional revelries. The town’s Man of the Sea Festival, the Festa do Homem do Mar, is a traditional maritime procession which includes fireworks, displays of the saints who protect the local fishermen, and a flotilla of decorated boats around the port of Nazare.
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Looking for some interesting things to do in Nazare? Here are some recommended attractions and sights for you.
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Attractions in Nazare
- Beach, Nazare
- Historic Center, Nazare
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazare, Nazare
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