Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Portalegre > Campo Maior > São Pedro > Enxara
Situated in the peaceful area of Enxara, near the village of São Pedro, in Campo Maior, this chapel is located in a rural plain environment. The isolated and serene site benefits from the proximity of the Xévora river, which flows to the south, contributing to an atmosphere of calm and contemplation. A spacious paved churchyard, equipped with stone benches and a fountain, offers an inviting space for moments of rest by the water.
The history of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Enxara probably dates back to the 14th century, when a primitive hermitage would have been erected on this very spot. Throughout the 18th and 20th centuries, the building underwent significant interventions that shaped its current appearance. The chapel is an important center of pilgrimage, and its devotion is linked to an ancient local legend. It is said that the Virgin Mary appeared to a girl from Ouguela, by the Xévora river, offering her an earring. Upon returning to the site with her mother, they found an image of the Virgin on a stone. This stone, which is still in the chapel today, became a symbol of its miraculous origin and the faith that attracts visitors to this sanctuary.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Enxara features an architectural composition that blends vernacular elements with Rococo influences and modernist touches, resulting from its various renovation phases. Its longitudinal plan structure integrates a single nave and a slightly elevated chancel, where a throne room stands out. The main facade, facing south, is marked by a galilee with three arches, while on the sides and at the head, arcaded galleries, some with rib vaults, suggest vestiges of the original construction. Inside, the whitewashed walls contrast with stucco decorations painted in light blue and gold, typically Rococo, visible on the side altars and the pulpit, lending the space a discreet and welcoming elegance.
This sanctuary holds deep significance for the local community, serving as a gathering point for faith and tradition. Throughout the year, and particularly during the Easter period, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Enxara is the stage for pilgrimages that bring together many devotees. The celebrations include masses and processions, extending outdoors into the churchyard and surrounding area, providing moments of intense religious and cultural experience that mark the identity of the Campo Maior region.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.018797,-7.0578057
Coordinates DMS: 39°01'7.7"N 07°03'28.1"W
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