Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres, Sacred shrine in Serreta, Portugal
The Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres is a place of worship on Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago, featuring a single nave and traditional Portuguese architecture. The building rises prominently above the village of Serreta and shows classic features typical of religious structures in this island region.
Construction of the church began in 1819 under General Francisco António de Araújo and was completed in 1842. The building survived natural forces and was restored after the 1980 earthquake, before being designated a shrine by the Diocese of Angra in 2006.
Inside, the church holds a rare Indo-Portuguese ivory figure of Christ from the 17th century, which tells of trade routes and cultural exchange between continents. The piece reflects how distant artistic traditions reached this remote island community.
The shrine offers regular religious services and is open to visitors who want to explore its interior spaces. Several other places of worship in the surrounding area provide good options for a broader visit to the region's spiritual sites.
The shrine was founded by a notable military figure and played an important role in the local community long before it gained official recognition in 2006. This history of community development in this remote part of Terceira Island remains evident today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
