Santiago do Cacém

Santiago do Cacém (suhn-tee-AH-goo doo kuh-SUHNGEE, /sɐ̃.ti.ˈa.gu du kɐ.ˈsɐ̃j/) has a total area of 1,060 km² (410 sq mi) and a total population of 30,000 inhabitants in 2011. The municipality is composed of 11 parishes. The municipal holiday is July 25.

The A26 motorway (Autoestrada do Baixo Alentejo, also signed IC33) serves Santiago. It runs between Beja and Sines and meets the A2 motorway (Autoestrada do Sul), which provides access from Lisbon and the Algarve.

• 🌍 Santiago Castle. Built by the Moors, it was taken by the Templars in 1157, to be lost in 1185 and recovered, the following year, by the Order of Santiago da Espada. 

• 🌍 Igreja Matriz (Mother Church). The church, attached to the castle of Santiago do Cacém, was founded in the 13th century by the Order of Santiago. Over the years it has undergone several reconstructions. The church is home to the Treasury of the Collegiate of Santiago, nucleus of the Museum of Sacred Art of Santiago do Cacém. 

• 🌍 Miróbriga Ruins (Miróbrica dos Célticos). An ancient Roman city built on the site of an ancient settlement from the Iron Age that had existed since the 9th century BC. With Roman colonization, it developed into the commercial area around the forum. The spas, among the best preserved in Portugal, are made up of two adjacent buildings, possibly one for the male and one for the female, respectively. Residential areas are still little known. Relatively close to the thermal baths, there is a bridge with a single semicircular arch. The racecourse is the only one completely known in Portuga and is located farther from the centre. (updated Feb 2021)

• Harmonia Society
• Park Rio da Figueira
• Igreja da Misericórdia (Church of Mercy)
• Pelourinho (Pillory)
• Depósito da Água no Serro da Inês (Miradouro) (Water Deposit at Serro da Inês)
• Moinho de Vento (Windmill)
• Casa das Heras (House of Heras)

• 🌍 Badoca Safari Park, Herdade da Badoca, Vila Nova de Santo André, ☏ +351 269 708 850, badoca@badoca.com. In addition to the safari, the park features African rafting, a primate island, an exotic bird garden, a carnivorous bird presentation, lemur interaction, and several others, including "VIP" experiences at premium prices. Adults €17.89, kids 4-10 and seniors 65+ €15.90, kids 0–3 free, family pack (2 adults & 2 kids 4–10) €61. (updated Jul 2021)

• 🌍 A Tasca d'Aldeia, Quinta das Laranjeiras (N261), ☏ +351 911 597 359, atascadaldeia@gmail.com. W–M 10:00-22:00, closed Tu. Regional Alentejan cuisine with retro decor. €10-15. (updated Jun 2021)
• 🌍 À Terra Santiago, Rua Cidade de Beja (at Santiago Hotel), ☏ +351 269 249 900, info@santiagohotel.pt. Daily 08:00–22:30. Local ingredients form the basis of their dishes. €20-60. (updated Jun 2021)

• 🌍 Herdade do Reguenguinho, Estrada Nacional 262, km 68.5, Cercal do Alentejo, ☏ +351 967 503 597, reguenguinho@mail.telepac.pt. 
• 🌍 Pousada Quinta da Ortiga, Quinta da Ortiga, ☏ +351 269 822 871, +351 269 822 074, fax: +351 266 707 248, recepcao.ortiga@pousadas.pt. This nature hotel has a beautiful chapel and it's encircled in a landscape crossed by a refreshing river, with terraced gardens and a swimming pool where the former watering reservoir used to be.