© * October 2015, Connecting VRSA to Caminho de Santiago do Este de Portugal for Spanish Pilgrims.

Alojamento Local "BAIXA MAR" Vila Real de Santo António, tel. 00351 281 534 511. Ask for Pilgrims-Price, valid Credencial 2015/2016, Quartos c/ banho privativo, Rua Teófilo Braga, N° 1, VRSA, between Guadiana River and Praca Marquês de Pombal. Leaving VRSA direction Castro Marim(Baesuris), Pilgrims pass the new Santo António Statue at the N122-roundabout outside of Vila Real de Santo António behind the Railroad. In Castro Marim Pilgrims coming from Spain can start walking the Second Stage of "O Caminho de Santiago do Este de Portugal desde Tavira, Caminho Tavirense", if they bring a valid Credencial 2015/2016. ***VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO*** The border town was founded by Marquis de Pombal in 1774 as a counterpoint to the Andalusian village of Ayamonte on the opposite bank of Guadiana River. The new town was built in five months, is a fine example of town-planning in those days, with its grid-plan streets, whitewashed houses and distinctive roofs. Vila Real has become one of the largest fishing and commercial ports along Guadiana River and in the Algarve. Between 1850 and 1970 VRSA was a considerable fish-canning center. Yachts for export are also built here. The connection with Spain is provided by a ferry service and, since 1991, a bridge over Guadiana River. Vila Real de Santo António is popular with the Spanish who cross over to buy cotton goods, souvenirs, etc. *SIGHTS* PRACA DO MARQUÊS DE POMBAL; This is the main square in the center of the Pombaline Quarter, on the north side Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Encarnacao(XVIII). The Square is surrounded with orange trees and paved with black and white mosaic radiating the central Obelisk. Pedestrian streets around the square are lined with shops selling cotton goods, souvenirs etc. THE BANKS OF GUADIANA RIVER; Hotels, Guesthouses, Cafés, Restaurants on both sides of Guadiana River. The white houses of Ayamonte can be clearly seen from the beautiful gardens along the river in Vila Real de Santo António.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ***ARRIVING IN VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO(VRSA) COMING BY FERRY FROM AYAMONTE - SPAIN.*** *Ferry from Spain - Ayamonte: Transporte Fluvial del Guadiana SL., Muelle de Portugal s/n, 21400 Ayamonte - Huelva, Email: tfguadiana@gmail., tel. 0034 959 470 617, Website: www.rioguadiana.net/ *Ferry in Vila Real de Santo António: Empresa de Transporte do Rio Guadiana, Lda., Avenida da República, N° 115, 8900- VRSA, tel. 00351 281 543 152, Fax. 00351 281 543 152, Email: etrioguadiana@sapo.pt/ *Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Encarnacao(XVIIIs.), de VRSA., Padre Angostinho Pinto available for CARIMBOS in Church, tel. 00351 281 957 749, Praca do Marquês de Pombal, Vila Real de Santo António. *Câmara Municipal de Vila Real de Santo António, Praca Marquês de Pombal, 8900- VRSA, tel. 00351 281 510 000, CARIMBO?, Email: geral@cm-vrsa.pt / Website: www.cm-vrsa.pt / *Junta Freguesia de Vila Real de Santo António(VRSA.), Rua General Humberto Delgado, N° 53, 8900-311 VRSA., tel. 00351 281 513 817, Fax. 00351 281 543 178, Email: juntafreguesiavrsa@gmail.com / *Alojamento Local/Residência BAIXA MAR VRSA, Casa de Acogida, Rua Dr. Teófilo Braga, N° 1, 8900- VRSA., tel. 00351 281 543 511, Mob. 00351 918 433 923, Email: alojamentobaixamar@gmail.com / *Casa A Centenária, Gift- and Souvenir Shop, Avenida da República, N° 101 - 102, 8900- Vila Real de Santo António, closed on Sundays, Opposite of Ferry, tel. 00351 281 543 822 / *Pasteleria Delícia - La Manuela - , opposite of Ferry to the right direction Castro Marim, Avenida da República, Loja 21, 8900- Vila Real de Santo António. Early open for Sandwiches and Coffee in the morning. //15.05.2017.// ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ***ARRIVING FROM SPAIN IN VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO BY FERRY FROM AYAMONTE FOR PILGRIMMING CAMINHO TAVIRENSE.*** Starting on Sunday early, means that you have to sleep in VRSA, because on Sunday the Ferry does not function before midday, which gives you the possibility to discover VRSA Saturday-evening. Maybe Holy Mass Saturday or Sunday in Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Encarnacao at beautiful Praca Marquês de Pombal-Square, passing A.L./Residência BAIXA MAR VRSA, special Pilgrims-rate for Pilgrims with a Valid New Credencial of our Association (2 €), which can be requested by Email and can be delivered either in Ayamonte or VRSA on appointment, and stamped! *Starting your Caminho from VRSA, means that you need to contact the Association in Tavira to receive the last actual information, Credencial and/or Carimbo/Stamp. *Pilgrimming means respecting the rules of Caminho de Santiago, European Traffic Regulation and Private Property always, and also remember our request to KEEP OUR CAMINHO CLEAN AND GREEN. *Walking "The Way" on foot always on the left side of the road faciing up-coming traffic if possible, and cycling, one behind one, on the right side of the road following traffic. If you have to stop, get at once off the road, so groups can not be an obstacle/danger for others or themselves. *In VRSA starting from the Church, Praca Marquês de Pombal, Câmara Municipal, passing by Residênsia Baixa Mar A.L., turn left (facing Guadiana River), following Avenida da República until roundabout "Docapesca" and turn left, following the Railroad on your left side passing behind "Estacao CP - Comboios de Portugal", and a cycling path on your right side until the next Roundabout (Santo António is on holidays since a week?), turn right direction Castro Marim, footpath on the left along N122 from KM 123 until km 121 (left side), reaching Castro Marim, where keep on the old-N122-road until you reach Igreja Matriz, Castelo and leaving Castro Marim again direction North passing by roundabout "Cavaleiros" along N122, direction Monte Francisco, behind Motorway-bridge A-22, signalised with "setas", yellow arrows. Cyclists leaving VRSA stay of course, one behind one, on the right side of the road, following direction of traffic! *In Castro Marim Pilgrims arrive again on the original Route, Stage 2 do Caminho do Este de Portugal desde Tavira, Caminho Tavirense, finishing in Foz de Odeleite at Restaurante "Arcos do Guadiana", about 25,5 km, or 2,5 km further in Monte do Álamo, at T.R. Paisagem do Guadiana. // 25.05.2017. // *