Raia Way

The Camino de Santiago da Raia in the Alentejo is a variant of the Camino Nascente which, for almost 400 km, follows the border line between Portugal and Spain, linking castles, forts, watchtowers and fortified towns, built since the Treaty of Zamora (1143) recognized Portugal’s independence, and in particular since the Christian Reconquest south of the Tagus with the support of the Military Orders, among which the Order of Santiago.

In addition to the need to ensure the defense and surveillance of the territory in the border region, the fortified towns also served as places of support and assistance for Christian and Mozarabic travelers and pilgrims from Andalusia and Extremadura, who ventured along the immemorial paths traced by the various peoples who had stayed here since prehistoric times.

On the Camino de Santiago da Raia, pilgrims will now discover the unique heritage, customs and traditions, gastronomy and cultural identity of the Alentejo region, a vast territory between Mértola and Nisa, with undulating fields, green in winter and scorching in summer, refreshed by the great lake of Alqueva.

Here, the rhythms are those of Cante Alentejano, of the serenity of the horizon conducive to contemplating natural beauty and living with hospitable people, resilient descendants of generations of settlers and fighters on Portugal’s frontier.