Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Setúbal > Montijo > Atalaia > Urbanização dos Cruzeiros
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Atalaia stands in the Urbanização dos Cruzeiros, in the locality of Atalaia, municipality of Montijo. Its elevated position offers a vast panoramic view, encompassing the Tagus River estuary and much of the surrounding region, extending the gaze to the city of Lisbon on clear days. Access to the main temple is via a wide staircase, flanked by some of Atalaia's oldest houses, culminating in a spacious churchyard.
The Sanctuary's history dates back to an ancient legend, narrating the apparition of the image of the Virgin Mary atop a mastic tree, near a spring that became known as Fonte Santa (Holy Spring). Although the exact founding of the temple is unknown, some records point to the year 1623. However, the veneration of Our Lady of Atalaia dates back much further, with evidence placing it from at least 1409, and attesting to its growing importance as early as the beginning of the 16th century, making it a long-standing place of worship in the region.
The main church features a facade of sober lines, where the large choir window stands out, positioned above a narthex with three arches, protected by an iron railing. Inside, the single-nave temple reveals a vaulted ceiling and a choir. A pulpit made of Arrábida marble adds a touch of distinction, with an inscription referencing Palmela. The walls of the central nave are adorned with blue and white tile panels, dating from the 18th century, illustrating scenes from the life of the Virgin. In the chancel, a magnificent Joanine-style altarpiece, made of 18th-century exotic wood, frames the image of Our Lady, complemented by a grand sculptural ensemble in gilded carving.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Atalaia is not limited to just the church; it integrates a monumental complex that includes three crosses and the Fonte Santa, fundamental elements for understanding its history and devotion. The Cruzeiro-Mor (Main Cross), Manueline in style and built of Lioz stone in the 16th century, stands out for its cupola and the image of Christ crucified, as well as for a Pietà currently decapitated. On the way to the sanctuary, one also finds the Cruzeiro de Alcochete (Alcochete Cross) and the Cruzeiro das Esmolas (Alms Cross), unique landmarks that delimited the ancient sacred space. The Fonte Santa (Holy Spring), linked to the legend of the apparition, features a circular water basin with a peculiar cover, representing a point of historical and religious significance.
The pilgrimage to Our Lady of Atalaia is one of the highlights of local life and has a significant origin. In 1507, during a period of plague in Lisbon, a group of customs officers from the capital promised an annual pilgrimage to the sanctuary if they were spared from the disease. The request was granted, initiating a tradition that continues to this day, celebrated annually on the last Sunday of August. Annexed to the church, the Museum of Ex-Votos houses a vast collection of popular offerings. These pieces, donated by the faithful over the centuries in fulfillment of vows, constitute a heritage of religious, anthropological, and sociological value, offering a glimpse into the community's beliefs and customs.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.7075078,-8.9229736
Coordinates DMS: 38°42'27.0"N 08°55'22.7"W
Weather Atalaia
On-duty Pharmacy Atalaia
