Evoking Oureana

The last day of this itinerary begins in Seiça, next to the main church, and ends at the Sanctuary of Fátima, next to the Chapel of the Apparitions. Along a mixed route of footpaths, local and municipal roads, and small stretches of the national motorway, the topography is very varied, with a predominance of flat areas and some stretches of steep terrain. It requires some physical effort and great attention when passing through dense urban areas (crossing the city of Ourém and arriving at Cova da Iria, in the surroundings of the Sanctuary), in order to ensure proper safety.

This part of the Route makes its way through the Municipality of Ourém in Portugal’s Central Region and covers the mountainous, arid and beautiful terrain of the Aire Mountain Range. The climate and natural conditions are characteristic of a transitional zone between the Atlantic and Mediterranean environments. Limestone mountains and rocky slopes are the predominant features, amidst which you will see small valleys and caves. In many senses this is the landscape and habitat that the young shepherds of Fátima knew and lived in. The geological formations and fossils evoke the passing of millions of years, and in this region nature and life are indissociable. In addition to the overarching rural impression, there are urban centres that have developed in order to undertake administrative (Ourém) and religous (Fátima) roles.

These lands, rich in legends and tradition, keep the memory of Oureana, the Muslim princess who fell in love with the Christian knight, a symbol of harmony between peoples, religions, and cultures.