Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary

Category: Religious Architecture > Sanctuary

District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Vila Real > São Tomé do Castelo e Justes

Location and Panoramic Views

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes stands on an isolated hillside in the area of São Tomé do Castelo e Justes, integrating into the landscape of the town of Vila Real. Its elevated position offers visitors a wide 180-degree view over the city and the imposing Marão and Alvão mountain ranges, creating a natural setting of great beauty. Although the surrounding area has witnessed some urban expansion and the establishment of the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro since the 1970s, the sanctuary remains in a space that preserves its uniqueness, once flanked by old agricultural estates.

Historical Memory and Construction

The history of this sanctuary dates back to 1908 and 1909, a period when the Catholic world celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the apparitions of Lourdes, in France. Inspired by this event of great spiritual significance, the project for the construction of the sanctuary in Vila Real was conceived by Father José Luís Zamith and later realized thanks to the dedication of Monsignor Jerónimo Amaral. Its inauguration took place on May 30, 1909. Although the temple was not fully completed as idealized, the site quickly became a meeting point for pilgrimages and religious ceremonies, maintaining considerable activity until the mid-20th century.

The Image and Architecture

At the heart of the sanctuary is the image of Our Lady of Lourdes, sculpted in marble. This figure is placed on a circular platform, serving as a central point for those who access the space. Its iconographic characteristics, such as the arrangement of the hands, the roses by the Virgin's feet, and the hanging rosary, are distinctive elements of the representation of Our Lady of Lourdes. The statue rests on a granite pedestal, surrounded by a wrought-iron fence with two gates. On a higher level, on a rectangular platform, stands the chapel. Inaugurated in 1924, its current structure comprises only the main altar and the annexed sacristy, built with a mix of granite and schist that functions both structurally and decoratively. The site has been undergoing recovery work by the Diocese of Vila Real, with visible restoration of the chancel and other elements.

Heritage and Surrounding Environment

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is recognized as architectural heritage, and the existing temple is in the process of being classified as built heritage, underlining its cultural relevance. The property is fully walled, allowing access through four distinct entrances. The main path to the sanctuary is flanked by cypress trees (Cupressus lusitanica), planted around the 1960s. In recent years, efforts have been made to clear invasive vegetation, such as acacia, which has proliferated in the area, aiming at the conservation and better observation of the sanctuary complex.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt