The best road cycling routes around Ermidas-Sado

Grândola, Vila Morena is a famous Portuguese protest song composed in 1971 by singer-songwriter José Afonso. It became internationally famous when it was broadcast on the radio as a secret signal for the start of the Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1974, which ended Salazar's dictatorship. The song owes its strength to a strong message of brotherhood, equality, and power to the people. You can delve deeper into its history and social impact by consulting the article by Cultweek, or discover the lyrics, chords, and translation on IlDeposito.org.

The link to Zeca Afonso's song, "Grândola, Vila Morena", is as follows: https://youtu.be/gaLWqy4e7ls?is=IVnBFCPiYAqt0hJk

Grândola, Vila Morena is a poem and song composed and sung by José Afonso, chosen by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) as the second signal to set the rebellious military in motion, initiating the Revolution of April 25, 1974. The song, revolutionary from the start, became the anthem of the Revolution. It was written and recorded in October 1971, after a visit to the Sociedade Musical Fraternidade Operária Grandolense in Grândola, in Alentejo. The song was released on the album Cantigas do Maio with the direction of José Mário Branco, recorded in Hérouville, France, which came out in December of that year. Although not initially conceived as a protest song, the changes made at the time of recording gave it a highly political message in the context of the Estado Novo dictatorship. Grândola, Vila Morena became a symbol of the popular struggle and a national heritage, known by Portuguese society at large. (Source: Wikipedia) https://youtu.be/gaLWqy4e7ls?is=74KdykCGenB6jR6R

Only sparse ruins remain at this site today, testifying to the monastery that once stood here, a place of lived faith for several centuries. User @Kathrin has already written a detailed post about the history, citing sources. Perhaps an explanation of the patronage is also interesting: people entrusted themselves to the Mother of God of Loreto. Loreto is an international Marian pilgrimage site in central Italy (the Marche region). The House of Mary, formerly located in Nazareth (Israel), is venerated there. It was probably dismantled and brought to Europe by crusaders at the end of the 13th century, when the era of Christian kingdoms in the Holy Land came to an end. However, this very rational assumption is contradicted by a much more interesting legend: According to this legend, four angels carried out the translation of the "Santa Casa" by flying the building across the Mediterranean.

The castle has a roughly rectangular floor plan and its walls still show traces of a Muslim fortress. The castle of Santiago do Cacém has been classified as a national monument since 1910. What is actually unusual is the cemetery within the castle walls.

To the south of Santiago do Cacém, ruins recall the presence of the convent of Our Lady of Loreto, built in the 15th century. In addition to its historical aspect, the old stones bring during the summer a pleasant freshness which invites to the pause and the contemplation.

Cemetery within the castle walls

Completed in 1954, the large Campilhas dam lake can be used to produce electricity, supply drinking water and maintain an irrigation network. Due to repeated droughts, the lake can no longer recover the levels of its creation.