Sanctuary of Our Lady of Miracles

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Angra do Heroísmo > Serreta > À Estrada

Location

The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres (Our Lady of Miracles) is located in the parish of Serreta, an integral part of the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, Azores. Its position, at the westernmost tip of the island, next to the locality's main road, provides direct access and a distinctive setting. The temple stands on a slightly elevated churchyard, delimited by a wall, offering a serene perspective over the surrounding area.

The Origin of the Devotion

The history of the devotion to Our Lady of Miracles in Serreta dates back to the late 17th century. It is said that a priest, Isidro Fagundes Machado, a victim of persecution, took refuge in this isolated place. There, he erected a small hermitage and placed an image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus in it. Rapidly, the image's fame grew due to the miracles attributed to it, solidifying the popular designation of "Nossa Senhora dos Milagres" (Our Lady of Miracles). This profound faith gave rise to a pilgrimage site and a sense of community around the Marian cult.

Architecture and Features of the Temple

The current sanctuary is the third temple built in Serreta to venerate Our Lady of Miracles. Its construction began in 1895 and it was inaugurated in 1907. Although it suffered significant damage in the 1980 earthquake, it was carefully reconstructed, maintaining its original design. The main façade, in white and grey tones, stands out for its basalt stonework elements, a characteristic of Azorean architecture. It features a unique bell tower, rising to approximately 23 meters in height, and an interior with a single nave and a chancel.

Inside, attention is drawn to the high altar retable and, in particular, to a remarkable Indo-Portuguese ivory image of Christ, dating from the 17th century, known for its unusual dimensions. The ceilings of the chancel are enriched with painted coffers, which display a rich Eucharistic, Marian, and Christological iconography, inviting visitors to contemplation.

A Pillar of Azorean Faith and Culture

Elevated to the canonical status of Diocesan Sanctuary in 2006, this place plays a central role in the religious and cultural life of Terceira Island. Annually, especially during the month of September, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres attracts thousands of pilgrims. These devotees come from all parts of the island, from other islands of the archipelago, and even from Azorean communities scattered around the world, seeking a space of faith and tradition, where pilgrimages remain vibrant and intense.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt