Church of Our Lady of Atalaia and 3 crosses.

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Setúbal > Montijo > Atalaia > Urbanização dos Cruzeiros

Location and Importance

Located in Atalaia, in the municipality of Montijo, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Atalaia is an important Marian sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary, attracting pilgrimages for centuries.

Panoramic View

The sanctuary is situated on a hill, providing stunning views of the region and the Tagus estuary towards Lisbon.

History and Tradition

, Devotion to Nossa Senhora da Atalaia dates back to at least the 15th century.

, According to legend, the Virgin appeared on a mastic tree next to a spring that was later considered holy.

, The highlight of the celebrations takes place on the last Sunday of August, with traditional festivities and the arrival of various "círios" (candlelight processions), including the historic Círio da Alfândega de Lisboa, which dates back to 1505.

Church Architecture

, Simple facade, with three arches and a central window.

, Interior decorated with 18th-century tile panels depicting episodes from the life of Our Lady.

, Chancel with an exotic wood altarpiece in the Joanine style and highly detailed gilded sculptures.

The Three Stone Crosses

, Cruzeiro-Mor (Main Cross): Monument in 16th-century "lioz" stone, with an image of Christ crucified and another of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Piety), although the latter is damaged.

, Cruzeiro de Alcochete (Alcochete Cross): Simple, with a Latin cross on a platform, located on the road to Alcochete.

, Cruzeiro das Esmolas (Alms Cross): Also called Cruzeiro da Estrada (Road Cross), it has a decorative niche and is located on the road that connects Montijo to Pegões.

Fonte Santa (Holy Fountain)

Small circular structure painted in white and blue, associated with the legend of the apparition of the Virgin, being one of the most symbolic elements of the sanctuary.