Coppermines functioning between 1857 and 1967, polluting the Guadiana River Valley for more than 110 years. The miners-village was left, after closing the mines, surrounded by a moon landscape in the middle of nature. 2010. ----------------------------------------------------------------- *MÉRTOLA TO MINA DE SAO DOMINGOS 5th Stage, about 17,6 km.* Leaving Mértola crossing the bridge over Guadiana River direction Mina de Sao Domingos(N265). Walking uphill by a curvy road, change sides after each bend to face upcoming traffic, we follow direction Moreanes, Mina de Sao Domingos and Serpa. After about 9 km between km 62 and 60 we walk through the village of MOREANES, with a well for refreching, the local Church(see picture), a Minimarket/Bakery "O Cantinho da Bia" and a Restaurant "Alentejo" in Rua Grande N°3,00351 286 655 133(closed on Mondays), Café J.B. closed. Busstop along N265 before Km 60, continuing direction Mina and just behind Moreanes many white-stork nests beside the road. From Moreanes it is about 7 km walking to Mina de Sao Domingos. Before entering the "Mining-Village" on the left a lake for swimming and after km 54 first road right Pensao Restaurante Sao Domingos, tel. oo351 286 647 187 / Email: ruibrazconceicao@hotmail.com./ pensaosdomingos@sapo.pt / 10% discount for Pilgrims staying, special Pilgrimsmenu with Valid Credencial. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Just about 500m outside behind Mina de Sao Domingos, along N265, Agroturismo "Monte da Galega", 00351 286 647 091, www.montedagalega.com / ask for Pilgrims-discount with Valid Credencial. / 2015 /
Typical Mining Town of the Alentejo. The Copper-Mines
ReplyDeletewere closed in 1967 and dismantled afterwards. You can
find the Mines behind Correo-Postoffice. Guided visits
can be booked at turismo@cm-mertola.pt or 00351 286 610 109.
17 km. East of Mértola E.N. 265, walking or Cycling lies
ReplyDeleteMina de Sâo Domingos, with copper mines-an extension of thoseat Tharsis and Rio Tinto- exploited from the time of Augustus to that of Theodosius and re-
discovered in 1857 by a British Mining Company. Pensâo
Restaurante Sâo Domingos offers 10% discount for Pilgrims staying, Pilgrimsmenu with Credencial, 00351 286 647 187, ruibrazconceicao@hotmail.com
Walking and/or Cycling between Mina de S. Domingos and Serpa, 6th Stage do Caminho do Este de Portugal desde Tavira, we can enjoy walking long distances on the left and right side along the road (N265), using sandy pathes or dustroads, be careful crossing the road, safety first please!
ReplyDeleteAlentejo. The largest and flattest of the Portuguese provinces, about the size of Belgium, Alentejo occupies one-third of Portugal´s total area yet has only six percent of its population. It stretches from the west coast east to the Spanish border and separates Ribatejo and Beira Baixa in the central regions from Algarve in the south. The open countryside is punctuated by picturesque whitewashed towns and villages, many built on the low hills which dot the horizon.
Alentejo is rich in handicrafts. Rustic pottery with naive, colourful designs can be found everywhere. In addition, certain towns specialise in particular crafts or products: hand-stitched rugs from Arraiolos, loom-woven carpets from Reguengos; cheese from Serpa; tapestries from Portalegre; sugar plums from Elvas. All can be purchased, of course, elsewhere in Alentejo, or in Lisbon or Porto, but for price, selection,
freshness and adventure, isn´t it more satisfying to go to the source?
Moreanes, small supermarket / bread,"O Cantinho da Bia", 00351 934 017 910, or in Moreanes Café Snack - J.B. for sandwiches or drinks, 00351 934 436 692. Outside of Moreanes along N265 many Stork-nests by/along the road.Bom Caminho.
Leaving Mértola, lies 17 kms to the east Mina de Sao Domingos, with closed copper mines - an extension of those at Tharsis and Rio Tinto - exploited from the time of Augustus to that of Theodosius and rediscovered in 1857 by a British Company.
ReplyDeleteFor O Caminho do Este de Portugal leaving from
Tavira, over a distance of about 17,6 km, the 5th Stage between Mértola and Mina de Sao Domingos, by Moreanes,
Walk where possible on the left side of the road, and where possible on the right side beside the road,on grass or sand pathes. Near dangerous bends in the outside curve, paying attention crossing the road, from left to right and back.
Leaving Mértola crossing the bridge over Guadiana River, uphill following N 265 direction Moreanes and Mina de Sao Domingos.
Behind Moreanes, after a coffee-break, on the right side along the road N 265 many nests of white-storks
Entering Mina de Sao Domingos we can see on both sides of the road N 265, forgotten instalation of the former copper mines. On the left side a lake for swimming (open all year), with a beach and caravan-parking. We reccommend in Moreanes:
O Cantinho da Bia, for bread and a small supermarket, in the village, 00351 934 017 910, and at the end of Moreanes, Café J.B. (snacks) by N265, for coffee and sandwiches, 00351 934 436 692.
Arriving in Mina de Sao Domingos we advise to walk upto the church to inform for carimbos (stamps) for your Credencial, evening or next morning.
Pensao Restaurant Sao Domingos offers 10% discount for Pilgrims staying, Pilgrimsmenu with Credencial, 00351 286 647 187, Hotel Sao Domingos, 00351 286 640 000, about 600 meters outside of Mina, by the road direction Serpa, N 265, Agro-Turismo Monte da Galega, 00351 965 726 435.
Turismo Mértola, 00351 286 610 109, Town Hall Mértola, 00351 286 610 100, Bombeiros Mértola, 00351 286 610 010, GNR Mértola, 00351 286 612 127. Bom Caminho.
Sao Domingos Mine, Mining Heritage.
ReplyDeleteStage 5, Mértila Mina de Sao Domingos, 17,6 Km.
Leaving Mértola by bridge crossing Guadiana River N265 uphill for about 3km, direction Mina de Sao Domingos. After Moreanes on the right side of the road, many white-stork nests mostly inhabited all year. Entering Mina de Sao Domingos by N265
passing along the lake, left of you, before you reach
the Church visible after the bend, on your right side, Pensao Restaurante Sao Domingos, before you pass the football-ground on the right hand.
A place of history. The mining area of Sao Domingos, inserted in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, has been famous for the extraction of ores since ancient times, with evidence of there having been operations to extract gold, silver and copper in Pre-Roman and Roman periods.
Its modern exploitation began in 1858, with an initiative by the "Mason and Berry" Mining Company, and was maintained until 1966, about 108 years of regular mining.
Throughout this period, about 25 million tonnes of ore, mainly copper, zinc, lead and sulphur were extracted.
The Miner's House to visit.
The Miner's House is a permanent exhibition space that illustrates the physical reality of a mining family's
living quarters.
This is the first permanent branch of the Mértola Museum at the Sao Domingos Mine.
The Miner's House is also the main office of the S. Domingos Mine Research and Documentation Center.
Guided Tours through the S. Domingos Mine and the Old Mining Complex.
For reservations: Tourist Office Mértola, 00351 286 610 109, Miner's House, 00351 286 647 534, Pensao Rest. Sao Domingos, 10% discount with Credencial, 00351 286 647 187.
Iter Stellarum, Bom Caminho.