Picture the sun-drenched sands of Praia da Granja. Feel the warm breeze carrying the scent of salt and sea. This is São Félix da Marinha a place steeped in history. Its story begins long ago. Centuries ago in fact. Documents from the 12th and 13th centuries mention a church here. It was then known as the church of Sanfins de Serzedo. This humble church is a testament to São Félix da Marinha’s enduring presence.
São Félix da Marinha’s name has evolved over time. Sanfins was shortened from São Fins. Later it became the more scholarly São Félix. This refers to Saint Felix of Gerona. He was a Black Christian priest or deacon from North Africa. His feast day is celebrated on August 1st. The addition of “da Marinha” to the name tells another part of the story. It refers to the salt marshes or “marinha” located near the beach. These produced salt. Even in 1860 small plots still yielded salt.
The area was primarily rural for a long time. Now São Félix da Marinha has urban areas. The different locations within the parish such as Brito and Espinho tell stories of the changing landscape. However it is Praia da Granja that truly stands out. The Augustinian canons of the Monastery of São Salvador de Grijó built a quinta here. It’s now known as Quinta do Bispo. The monks were drawn to its proximity to the sea. They used it as a base for their coastal activities.
The arrival of the railway line in 1864 was a turning point. The Granja station brought travelers and tourists. Ramalho Ortigão described the area as “the most graceful the freshest the cleanest of our country’s seaside resorts”. In the late 19th century newspapers praised its beauty. They called it “a mimosa shell like a camellia petal a nest made of purples and perfumes”. It was considered “the beautiful bijou beach of our beaches”.
São Félix da Marinha has welcomed distinguished visitors. King Luis I Queen Maria Pia and their son Prince Afonso were among them. So were Mouzinho de Albuquerque and the famous “Group of Five” Ramalho Ortigão Eça de Queirós Oliveira Martins Antero de Quental and Guerra Junqueiro. Wealthy families from across Portugal and Spain also came to visit. They came for the beach and the relaxed atmosphere of the resort.
In 2001 São Félix da Marinha achieved Vila status. The town’s coat of arms reflects its history. The bicephalous eagle represents the Augustinians. The sun represents the tourist attractions including the beaches. The millstone shows the old mills along the coast. The wavy blue and green stripes symbolize the sea and the growth of tourism. São Félix da Marinha. A town of history and beauty. A place where past and present meet.