Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel, Religious sanctuary in Sesimbra, Portugal.
Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel is a pilgrimage sanctuary in Sesimbra standing on ocean cliffs with white-walled baroque architecture set into the rocky landscape. The site includes the main church, pilgrim lodges, an historic aqueduct, and several small chapels arranged among the rocks and sea views.
Construction of the sanctuary began in 1701 under King João V's direction with architect João Antunes designing the main church, completed in 1707. Over time, pilgrim houses and additional chapels were added to accommodate growing numbers of visitors drawn to this place of devotion.
The sanctuary is a place of religious devotion where pilgrims have gathered for centuries to honor the Virgin Mary at the chapel. Visitors can see hand-painted tiles and ornate ceiling frescoes created by local artists that tell religious stories throughout the interior.
The sanctuary sits on a headland and visiting requires driving a winding road down from central Sesimbra with limited parking available on site. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the pathways between rocks and structures are uneven, and proximity to the sea means weather can change quickly.
Ancient footprints visible in the rocks near the sanctuary were long interpreted as marks left by the Virgin Mary and her donkey. Scientists later recognized these as dinosaur tracks millions of years old, revealing a hidden geological history beneath the site's spiritual significance.
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