The Portuguese government seems very keen to work on these alternative interior routes. Here's a link to a story in Portuguese (I'll run it through Google Translate as well) about the recent initiatives. I know we were on a driving trip last fall in Portugal through that area, and when I wandered around the very small town that we stayed in (Vale do Peso), I saw signposts for the Caminho! That town is close to Crato, which is mentioned in this story:
Slightly edited story follows: (excuse the "shouting ALLCAPS; shows my comments)
"The Santiago Alentejo Ribatejo Paths project, which is being developed and implemented by the Regional Tourism Authority of Alentejo and Ribatejo (ERTAR), crosses 44 municipalities south of the Tagus and is divided into three distinct routes: Central Path, East Path and Caminho da Raia.
The initiative, in an investment of 400 thousand euros supported by community funds, “aims to rescue the history and symbolism of faith and spirituality for pilgrims and walkers”, with “experiences that allow discovering landscapes, habits and popular traditions and the existing religious heritage. in the territory ”.
The Central Way, with a total of 19 stages, runs through the municipalities of Almodovar, Castro Verde, Ourique, Odemira, Aljustrel, Santiago do Cacém, Grândola, Alcacer do Sal, Montemor-o-Novo, Vendas Novas, Coruche, Benavente, Salvaterra of Magos, Almeirim, Azambuja, Cartaxo, Santarém and Golegã, in a length of about 570 kilometers.
Those who choose to explore the six-stage East Path will have to go through the municipalities of Mértola, Beja, Cuba, Alvito, Viana do Alentejo, Evora, Estremoz, Sousel, Frontier, Alter do Chão, Crato and Nisa (close to 400 kilometers). THIS IS I THINK THE ROUTE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR. MERTOLA IS NOT THAT FAR NORTH OF FARO, ON THE EAST END OF THE ALGARVE. (MERTOLA WOULD BE THE SOUTH END OF THE ALENTEJO DISTRICT THAT IS PART OF THIS INITIATIVE.)
The Caminho da Raia, an exclusively digital orientation route that will only be available in December, crosses the municipalities of Mértola, Serpa, Moura, Mourao, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Alandroal, Vila Viçosa, Elvas, Campo Maior, Arronches, Campo Maior, Portalegre , Marvao, Castelo de Vide, Nisa, for almost 310 kilometers. THIS IS A ROUTE THAT COULD ALSO BE FOLLOWED, BASICALLY ALONG THE MOUNTAINS ON THE EAST SIDE OF PORTUGAL.
"They are completely different paths, with a component of faith, with areas that pass through churches and monuments," and aim "a kind of pilgrimage distinct from what we are used to seeing in relation to Fatima," he said.
The new tourism offer will be presented next Wednesday at the Mother Church of Santiago do Cacém, on the Alentejo coast, in the district of Setúbal.
According to Turismo do Alentejo, the ceremony will include, among others, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, the Commissioner of Jacobeu 2021, Cecília Pereira, and the head of Culture and Tourism in the Galicia Board. , Román Rodríguez González.
Santiago do Cacém has been twinned since 2007 with the municipality of Santiago de Compostela, as a result of its profound connection with the cult of Santiago Apostle, the
Camino de Santiago and the Military Order of Santiago de Espada, which has led the municipality to fight for “ recognition of the Santiago Roads to the south ”.
"We are the only municipality in Portugal with the name of Santiago, we have several historical and toponymic indicators, among others, which reveal that the
Camino de Santiago has been going through the county for many centuries," said the mayor, Alvaro Beijinha.
ERTAR also intends to launch the “Pilgrim's Book”, which “will be delivered to the various lodgings” and in which walkers can “leave their message and constructive criticism”.
Turismo do Alentejo will also “distribute stamps among the various units, cafes and restaurants where it travels”, to “stimulate the participation of private agents” in the project.
“It is a very relevant project that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world and so we understand that it was very important for this region to have a new kind of tourist, anti-seasonal, pilgrim, with purchasing power, over 60 years old and who, from the outset, makes the paths of Santiago throughout Europe, ”said António Ceia da Silva.
The official launch of the Caminhos de Santiago Alentejo Ribatejo, which will also be accompanied by the heads of the four dioceses of the regions, includes the presentation of the promotional film and the history of the Caminhos, the blessing of the routes by the Bishop of Beja and debates on the dynamization of the paths. and the challenges of pilgrims."
Original link:
http://www.mediotejo.net/caminhos-de-santiago-vao-dar-a-descobrir-alentejo-e-ribatejo/
The group organizing this, who may have maps, is Entidade Regional de Turismo do Alentejo e Ribatejo (ERTAR) translated as the Regional Tourism Authority of Alentejo and Ribatejo (ERTAR).
Hope this helps! The three lists of towns may make mapping a route easier!
Kathy
www.publico.pt
www.aej.pt
