Portugal is a south European country that is located in the Iberian Peninsula and shares its border with Spain. Portugal’s culture is influenced due to its location on the Atlantic ocean, where Portugal’s national dishes include grilled sardines and salted cod. While Portugal is known throughout the world for its architecture, it also has vast religious importance due to the many sacred destinations located in Portugal, that people visit for pilgrimage. Here are the top places to visit for pilgrimage in Portugal.
Top Places to Visit for Pilgrimage in Portugal
Lisbon Cathedral
It is where St. Anthony was baptized. It is a combination of Romanesque, Gothic, and Modern Times architecture. It was built in 1147, and it survived many calamities and was modified, restored, and renovated many times. It’s considered a National Monument and the seat of the Patriarchate of Lisbon. It’s one of the top places to visit for pilgrimage in Portugal.
A Pilgrimage Walk to the Shrine Of Our Lady Of Fatima
The Shrine Of Our Lady Of Fatima is a Marian shrine, which is more commonly known as the Sanctuary of Fatima, which is one of the most well known Marian shrines in the entire world. Every year, from all over the world, approximately four million people visit the Sanctuary of Fatima to perform the pilgrimage. The Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima is one of the main buildings of the sanctuary. The main building is sixty-five meters high and served as a central spire, which is quite slender. This building has fifteen altars, each dedicated to tombs and the fifteen rosary mysteries. The sanctuary also has an open-air chapel known as the Chapel of Apparitions, which is another significant stop amongst the pilgrims. Pilgrims, sometimes, visit Jacinta and Francisco’s original burial site, which is at the sanctuary’s outskirts. The Feast day is May 13th and October 13th; it’s the most popular day for pilgrimage. It’s one of the top places to visit for pilgrimage in Portugal.
The Church Of The Holy Miracle
Santarem’s location is towards the northern region of Lisbon and has several renowned churches. However, The Church of the Holy Miracle is one of the most famous sacred destinations in Santarem, which receives thousands of pilgrims every year. The Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem is the best place to visit in the Church of the Holy Miracle. Another accessible and meaningful part of this church is where the four paintings hang, to depict the miracle. The house of the woman that experienced the eucharistic miracle is near to the church and is open to visitors. At the rear end of the church’s altar is a new museum, English language books are for sale, which gives a detailed history of the miracle. It’s one of the top places to visit for pilgrimage in Portugal.
Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary
Braga is towards the far north side of Portugal. This city is known throughout the world for religious events and its heritage. One of Braga’s most significant sacred destinations is the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, “Good Jesus of the Mount.” Its a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it has a Baroque stairway of 381 ft. See the zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste, and the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. It’s one of the top places to visit for pilgrimage in Portugal.
Whether you are a religious person or not, visiting these incredible historical and sacred destinations can be a great way to explore the spirituality that exists within religions and the people who follow it.
Leave a reply