São Marcos da Serra
| São Marcos da Serra | |||
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 São Marcos da Serra
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| Coordinates: 37°21′43.2″N 8°22′44.4″W / 37.362°N 8.379°W | |||
| Country | Portugal | ||
| District | Algarve | ||
| Municipality | Silves | ||
| Parish | São Marcos da Serra | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 154.9 km2 (59.8 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2001) | |||
| • Total | 1,535 | ||
| • Density | 9.9/km2 (26/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) | ||
São Marcos da Serra is a Portuguese parish in the municipality (concelho) of Silves[1]. The village is 27.2 kilometres (16.9 mi) north north east of the town of Silves and is 250 kilometres (160 mi) south south east of Lisbon [2]. The village is in an area were the two mountain ridges of Caldeirão and the Monchique meet. The Odelouca Stream skirts around the village and is known locally as the São Marcos Stream. The Odelouca stream receives water from two tributary streams called the Azilheire and the Besteiros[3].
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[edit] Description
São Marcos takes its name from Saint Mark the Evangelist[3]. The village is a typical mountain village with its buildings spread over the slope of the ground with steep streets. At the highest point of the village is the parish church[3]. The church stands in a square were in recent times a new market has been built on the western side[3]. Within the village square there is a landscaped garden. On one side is the Parish Church and opposite is the village health centre. In the middle of the square there is a statue of a man by the name of Doctor Antonio Bernardino Ramos. Dr. Bernardino Ramos was a much respected doctor who practised and lived in São Marcos da Serra. People came to him from near and far for treatment and the Doctor treated poor people free of charge. To honour him for all the good he did, the parish named the street that he used to live in after him and placed his statue in this prominent position in the centre of the square. The fact that this was already done when he was still alive, made him feel rather uncomfortable. On the heights next to the railway line there are two recent developments districts called Poleirão and Montezinhos[3]. Most of the village buildings are painted in whitewash which makes them stand out from the countryside. There are several cafés and a restaurant on the village square[3].
[edit] Transport and Communication
The village is a little to the west of the IC1 road which runs from the Algarve to Lisbon passing through Santana da Serra and Ourique[3]. There is also a direct road from the village to Silves which has been constructed in recent years. Municipal road 541 links the village to Alferce via Nave Redonda. There is a bus service in the morning and afternoon between the village and São Bartolomeu de Messines. The village is served by a railway station which is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south from the village center[3].
[edit] Produce
The main produce of São Marcos da Serra area is Cork[3]. There are also fields where grain is harvested in considerable quantity, including wheat, barley and oats. In the hills surrounding the village Wax and Honey is also collected from the beehives. The area is also favored by local hunters. In the village gardens next to the stream fruit and vegetables of many varieties are grown. At one time there was a special variety of peach grown but this has unfortunately now died out. The village is also renowned for a arbutus brandy which is called Comel which is made in still in the local distillery[3]. There are several old windmills on the hills around the village. Technology is also represented, as the new music recording technology known as Dynamic Convolution[4] has been invented here, and award winning music recording products are continuing to be developed in the area.
[edit] Marian apparitions
Since 1999, some reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Mother of Goodness are occurring near São Marcos da Serra and are receiving many attention worldwide, in particular by the Catholic youth and priests. These events in the north of Algarve are attracting many pilgrims to the place of the apparitions.[5] The Holy See has never officially approved or disapproved this apparitions.
[edit] Gallery
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The Bust of Doctor Antonio Bernardino Ramos
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São Marcos da Serra railway station
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The Cork Oak is a common tree in the region of São Marcos da Serra
[edit] References
- ^ Grande enciclopédia portuguesa e brasileira: Actualização, Publisher: Zairol (1998) ISBN 972-9362-16-5
- ^ Detail Regional Map, Algarve- Southern Portugal, ISBN 3-8297-6235-6
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Silves, Tourist Guide to the town and Borough, By J.D. Garcia Domingues,: Empresa Litográfica Do Sul, S.A.
- ^ Sintefex Audio Lda www.sintefex.com
- ^ The Blessed Mother of Goodness (São Marcos da Serra, Algarve, Portugal)
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