Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Leiria > Batalha > Reguengo do Fetal > Fetal
The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Fetal is located on a hillside, in a more isolated area of the village of Reguengo do Fetal, in the municipality of Batalha. Its elevated position offers a serene and picturesque setting. In front, there is a churchyard that connects to the local cemetery, which develops in terraces up the hill, creating an atmosphere of calm and contemplation within the urban surroundings of the village.
This sanctuary has its roots in the 16th century, with the initial construction of the chapel in 1585, erected over the remains of an ancient hermitage. Throughout the centuries, the space underwent various interventions that contributed to its current configuration. In the late 17th century, for example, it received tile coverings. Later, in the 20th century, a tile panel by Roque Gameiro was added, further enriching its heritage. The Sanctuary is today recognized as a Property of Public Interest.
The building features a longitudinal plan typical of a pilgrimage chapel, with a nave and a chancel. Its exterior is distinguished by its tile covering and a porch with Tuscan columns. Inside, the nave has a wooden ceiling and a high choir. The chancel, covered by a dome, houses a pink and black marble main altarpiece, where the 17th-century image of Nossa Senhora da Fé or do Fetal stands out. In the nave, two Joanine gilded side altars attract attention, which, interestingly, once belonged to Leiria Cathedral. The nave walls are decorated with blue and white patterned tiles, while in the chancel there are scattered figures dating from different periods.
The Sanctuary is the center of strong devotional traditions, namely the popular Feast of the Holy Spirit, associated with the legend of the "miracle of bread," where the custom of an "emperor" sponsoring the celebrations is maintained. However, it is the Procession of the Snails that gives this place a particular singularity. This annual nocturnal procession sees the village streets and even the surrounding cliffs illuminated by thousands of snail shells filled with olive oil and a wick, creating a unique and beautiful light display. The image of Nossa Senhora do Fetal is transported from the Sanctuary to the village's Main Church and returns seven days later, in a journey that transforms into a spectacle of light and faith, voluntarily prepared by the entire local community.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.63656500137789, -8.762649409407128
Coordinates DMS: 39°38'11.6"N 08°45'45.5"W
On-duty Pharmacy Reguengo do Fetal
