Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Franqueira, Place of worship in Pereira, Portugal
The Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Franqueira is a place of worship set on top of Monte da Franqueira, in Pereira, Portugal. From this hilltop, visitors can see the valley of Cavado to the north, the Serra do Gerês to the east, and the Atlantic coast stretching to the west.
The chapel traces its origins to a small hermitage built by D. Egas Moniz, tutor to the first king of Portugal, as a vow. In the 15th century, a duke brought back a jasper table from a campaign in North Africa, and it has been kept inside ever since as a historical relic.
The veneration of the Virgin has been alive here for centuries, and it remains visible today. Every year in early August, a procession carries the wooden statue of Our Lady, crowned in silver, through the landscape while people sing and wave colorful banners.
Getting to the top on foot is possible, but the terrain is hilly, so wear comfortable shoes. If you prefer to drive, parking is available close to the chapel, which makes the visit easy for most people.
The large statue standing in front of the entrance was paid for in 1929 by a Brazilian devotee who wanted to honor Our Lady from across the ocean. A short walk away, the remains of the old castle of Faria are still visible, showing that this hill was already a place of importance long before the chapel was built.
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