São Pedro de Rates

One of the finest Romanesque churches in northern Portugal. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, the church has a carved stone portal with figures of Christ and the apostles, elegant interior columns, and a simple beauty typical of the best Romanesque architecture. Saint Peter of Rates is said to have been ordained by the Apostle James, connecting this church directly to the Camino pilgrimage tradition. The interior is cool and quiet, and worth at least 15 minutes of your time.

Rates has a couple of cafes near the church. After the first section of the stage from Porto (or from the overnight stop at Vilarinho/Arcos), a coffee break here is well timed. The village is peaceful and the church square is a pleasant place to sit. You still have about 16 km to Barcelos.

This is where the connecting path from Vila do Conde on the Coastal route meets the Central route. If you started on the coast and decided to switch inland, this is where you join the Central Camino. From here, both routes share the same path through Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and onwards to Santiago.