Lady of the Mountain

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Bragança > Bragança > Rebordãos > Casa Nova

Location:

Located in the municipality of Bragança, the Sanctuary of Senhora da Serra is situated at the summit of the Serra da Nogueira mountain range. This elevation, at about 1300 meters above sea level, dominates the surrounding landscape. The site is located in the Casa Nova area, on the outskirts of the village of Rebordãos.

Its privileged position offers a wide perspective over the Trás-os-Montes horizon, sometimes enveloped in mystical mountain fog or bathed in snow in winter. It is a point where nature reveals itself in its fullness, offering an environment of tranquility and stunning views.

Origins in Legend:

The history of this place of worship dates back to the 17th century, rooted in a popular legend that recounts the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a mute shepherdess. It is said that the Virgin asked her to build a church at the highest point of the Serra da Nogueira. Initially, the inhabitants of Rebordãos, faced with the difficulty of the ascent, tried to erect the temple further down. However, the constructions mysteriously collapsed during the night.

Only when the Virgin indicated the exact spot with a miracle (an unexpected snowfall on August 5th, in the middle of summer) did the community accept the divine will and build the church on the mountaintop. This legendary event bestowed upon the site an aura of sacredness and divine intervention, which endures to this day.

The Sanctuary and its Architecture:

At the site of the apparition today stands the Sanctuary of Senhora da Serra, a robust and imposing building, constructed mostly of granite. The church has three naves, separated by rows of columns that extend for about forty meters, giving it a remarkable dimension for its location.

Inside, visitors can admire beautiful Baroque-style altarpieces, as well as observe the remarkable roof structure and its support system. Although the temple has undergone reconstructions and enlargements over the centuries, an inscription from 1611 on its facade suggests an initial date for the construction of the church that can be seen today. Its discreet round-arched bell tower, with its three simple pieces, is a vestige of the older temple, which originally served as the first chancel, later integrated and adapted to the growing size of the sanctuary.

A Historical Refuge:

The surprising size of the Sanctuary, for a location of such high altitude and apparent isolation, finds its explanation in turbulent periods of history. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, during the devastating outbreaks of the Black Death, many inhabitants of Vila de Rebordãos and other surrounding villages sought refuge in the mountains, believing that the clean air and unoccupied areas would protect them from the disease. In this refuge, they founded a kind of temporary village, which became permanent for long periods.

The sanctuary grew, becoming a central place of protection and devotion for these communities, who found there not only physical but also spiritual shelter, under the protection of the Virgin Mary. Thus, the grandeur of the temple reflects the gathering of a vast number of people who sought safety and solace in the heights of the mountain range, transforming it into a symbol of resistance and faith.

Devotion and the Annual Pilgrimage:

Annually, the Sanctuary of Senhora da Serra is the stage for one of the region's most expressive pilgrimages, attracting thousands of pilgrims. Although the initial celebration date was August 5th, linked to the tradition of Our Lady of the Snows, the main liturgical feast takes place on September 8th, coinciding with the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

Between the end of August and September 8th, novenas take place, an intense period of prayer and preparation that culminates in the final feast. A striking feature of this pilgrimage is the tradition of many faithful pilgrims staying overnight in the buildings adjacent to the sanctuary, thus accompanying all the celebrations and keeping alive a secular tradition of continuous devotion to Senhora da Serra. Historically, the mountain range was also a place of transhumance for cattle and shepherds, which reinforced human presence and the connection to the Virgin in this space, especially during the summer months, contributing to its rich cultural and religious tapestry.

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