Sanctuary Our Lady of Azenha

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Santa Maria da Feira > Argoncilhe > Azenha

Location:

The Sanctuary is located in Azenha, a quiet area of Argoncilhe, in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira. It is nestled in a small clearing surrounded by leafy trees, which provides a cool and shaded environment for visitors.

Surrounding it is a green area with gentle views over nearby fields and hills. A concrete sill and wooden benches allow visitors to appreciate the surrounding landscape, creating a serene meeting point between nature and religious heritage.

Origin and historical value:

Although exact records of its founding are scarce, the chapel exhibits characteristics suggesting a construction dating from the early 20th century, aligned with popular traditions of Marian devotion. Over the decades, it has undergone minor conservation interventions, maintaining its original design and intimate connection to the local community.

This place has served as a point of devotion and gathering, reflecting the importance of Our Lady in the region's popular faith. The tiles covering the base of the facade are a testament to an aesthetic taste adapted to Portuguese rural architecture.

Aesthetics and atmosphere:

The exterior is simple and harmonious: white-painted walls, a gabled roof with red tiles, and a frieze of blue tiles covering part of the base. Two pillars support a small portico bearing the inscription “Capela” (Chapel). The shadows cast by the plane trees create a play of light and lines on the paved area.

Inside, a main arched niche dominates, featuring the image of Our Lady flanked by miniature angels and saints. In front of the altar, a display cabinet holds dozens of wax ex-votos, often representing small infant bodies or body parts, tangible symbols of gratitude and supplication from the faithful.

Photographic spot:

From the exterior entrance, the chapel with its tiles and benches in the foreground offers a balanced composition for photographs. Inside, the contrast between the white walls and the subtle colors of the statues creates an intimate setting, ideal for capturing details of the sacred statuary and ex-votos.

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