Gemeses: Terra de Passagem

This short, circular walking trail (PP) is part of the Esposende Municipal Walking Trail Network (RMPPE) and is fully marked with the traditional markers used for this type of trail.
Known as PR13 EPS “Gemeses: Land of Passage,” it allows hikers to explore much of the parish of Gemeses through streets, paths, and trails, and helps visitors get to know this area better—rich in cultural and natural resources, whose surrounding landscape—dominated by cool woods, farmland, and right-of-way paths, in addition to the trails along the Cávado River—makes this walk a very pleasant journey.
With no major inclines, except for the ascent and descent of Monte de Arnelas, this route can be taken at a leisurely pace, over terrain that slopes toward the Cávado River.
From time to time, we are treated to monumental buildings, such as manor houses belonging to the wealthy landowners who once lived here, and to the vast and diverse religious heritage dedicated to the worship of Saint Mary, evident in the various wayside shrines, wayside crosses, and niches found along the different paths, not to mention the chapels and the parish church. We highly recommend a visit to the Chapel of Barca do Lago, whose devotion to Our Lady of Barca do Lago is one of the oldest, dating back to medieval times. This devotion, revered throughout the region due to the tradition of its miracle, originated among fishermen and attracted people from both the countryside and the sea, giving rise to a beautiful festival featuring a pilgrimage and a procession of boats along the Cávado River.
Remaining as part of the region’s cultural heritage are the old watermills and mills, as well as a few sawmills, which offer insights into the way of life of bygone times, when ox-drawn carts were common and time was measured by the agricultural calendar and weather conditions.
The passage of pilgrims along the Way to the tomb of the Apostle Saint James here in Gemeses is one of the oldest and beyond doubt. The crossing of the Cávado River took place at Barca do Lago, starting from Fonte Boa, via the ferry called “por Amor de Deus” (For the Love of God), right where the river narrows. According to ancient records, dating back to the time of the founding of Portugal, this route and the crossing at Barca do Lago held particular importance. Anonymous pilgrims and more noble figures, such as our King D. Manuel, passed through here, lending credence to the place names and traditions. In addition to this monarch, King D. Carlos Alberto of Italy also passed through here as he fled into exile in the city of Porto, where he would eventually die.
Gemeses is thus a place that offers an excellent setting for this type of activity, enriched by the observation of the natural landscape and the appreciation of its vast built heritage, which faithfully portrays the major periods of our history.