Chapel of Our Lady of the Way

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Batalha > Arneiro > Urbanização do Pinhal Manso

Location:

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Way is located in the peaceful Pinhal Manso Urbanization, in Arneiro, within the municipality of Batalha. Although its original landscape setting has undergone changes over time, it is still possible to observe traces of the ancient walls that connected it to the enclosure of the Batalha Monastery, evidence of a historical proximity to the imposing monument. Its position suggests a connection with ancient routes and paths, marking a point of passage.

An Enigmatic Past

The history of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Way is shrouded in mystery and legend. It is said that a Dominican friar found the image of the Virgin at this location, and twice, after taking it to the Monastery, the image miraculously returned to the same spot. This event led to the decision to erect the chapel there.

Its current invocation raises historical questions. Inside, a 16th-century pedestal, bearing the inscription “N.S~DACONCOLACÃO”, suggests that the site may have been originally dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation. Older documents and records of sanctuaries in the Diocese of Leiria do not mention a chapel with the invocation of Our Lady of the Way before the 18th century, a period when the adjacent street also changed its name, from "Rua de Baixo" to the current "Rua de Nossa Senhora do Caminho". There are indications in ancient chronicles that this could be the Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation of Canoeira, built by Matheus Trigueiro.

Architectural Features and the Legacy of Devotion

The chapel's architecture points to a construction or renovation in the 17th century, reflecting the style of the period. Although the current image of the Virgin inside is recent, the presence of the pedestal with the ancient inscription invites reflection on its long and complex history.

The invocation of Our Lady of the Way refers to a medieval tradition of erecting chapels at the exits of villages and next to bridges, with the purpose of invoking divine protection for travelers. This symbolism attributes a special meaning to the chapel for those who today travel the paths of Batalha. Currently, the care for this sacred space is ensured by the Freitas Sampaio family, maintaining it as a place of dignity and devotion.

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