Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Leiria > Nazaré > Nazaré > Sítio da Nazaré
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré is located in Sítio da Nazaré, an elevated area of the town. Its position offers expansive views over the Atlantic Ocean and the village of Nazaré, creating a unique setting for your visit. The temple stands at the end of a spacious esplanade, which defines the surrounding environment and invites visitors to pause and observe the surrounding landscape.
At the heart of this temple resides the sacred image of Our Lady of Nazaré, a Black Madonna carved from wood. Its history is ancient, dating back to the year 711, when, according to tradition, it was brought from Mérida by Friar Romano, who was fleeing Muslim invaders accompanied by King D. Rodrigo. Before the current edifice, the image was venerated in other nearby locations: first in a small grotto, where Friar Romano lived as a hermit, and later in the Chapel of Memory, built in 1182 by D. Fuas Roupinho in gratitude for a miracle that saved him on the edge of the cliff.
The current church began to be built in 1377 at the initiative of King D. Fernando I, but its form as we know it today is the result of successive works carried out between the early 17th and late 19th centuries. Its Latin cross plan extends into a single nave, flanked by elements such as four gilded altars and two pulpits. The choir loft, supported by columns, houses an organ at its center.
One of its most notable features are the panels of Dutch tiles that adorn the transept. These ceramic sets, commissioned in 1708, depict biblical episodes of figures such as David, Joseph, and Jonah. In the opposite arm, there are panels of Portuguese tiles, authored by António de Oliveira Bernardes, which adorn the walls of the sacristy and the corridors surrounding the chancel. In the chancel, separated by a balustrade of rosewood and marble, the Baroque gilded altarpiece stands out, housing the venerated image of Our Lady of Nazaré.
Throughout the centuries, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré has consolidated its position as one of the most important places of worship and pilgrimage in Portugal. Devotion to Our Lady of Nazaré, fueled by legend and faith, has always attracted the attention and protection of various Portuguese monarchs, who contributed to its grandeur. This temple is today recognized as a Property of Public Interest, testifying to its historical, artistic, and cultural relevance for the country and the community of Nazaré.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.6054323,-9.0765871
Coordinates DMS: 39°36'19.6"N 09°04'35.7"W
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