Sanctuary of Our Lady of Póvoa Complex

Category: Civil Architecture > Ensemble

District: Castelo Branco > Penamacor > Vale da Senhora da Póvoa > Nossa Senhora da Póvoa

Location

- Located in Vale da Senhora da Póvoa, in the municipality of Penamacor, district of Castelo Branco, Portugal.

History

- The sanctuary consists of a chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Póvoa (Our Lady of Póvoa), located at the base of the Serra de Opa (Opa Mountain range).

- The construction of the current chapel dates back to 1784.

- The origin of the sanctuary is linked to an ancient legend, without exact records about the initial construction.

Legend

- Two shepherds found a small image of the Virgin Mary among brambles, near a spring, while tending to the flocks.

- After taking the image to the local church, the Virgin Mary reappeared at the site of the find, interpreted as a sign to build a chapel on the site.

Pilgrimage

- Takes place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of the Holy Spirit.

- One of the largest pilgrimages in the Beiras region, attracting thousands of visitors.

- In the past, the procession included decorated ox carts, a practice that diminished with the arrival of automobiles.

Highlights for the Visitor

- The chapel of 1784, erected on the site of the image's appearance.

- The natural and serene environment of the Serra de Opa.

- The intense devotion and festivities during the pilgrimage of the Holy Spirit.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santuário_da_Senhora_da_Póvoa

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