History
In the early 8th century, Christians flee Saracen invaders, as they are not safe with these Muslims. The refugees have an image of Mary with them as they hide among the steep rocks of Peneda. This image keeps them alive, and this event designates Peneda as a Marian site.
A legend also lies at the root of the Peneda pilgrimage site. The story goes... It is 5 August 1220, and Our Lady appears in the form of a dove to a girl who is tending goats. Mary asks the child to tell the inhabitants of the nearby Gavieira that a shrine will be built on this spot. The child then goes home and tells her parents what has happened to her. Her mother and father do not believe her. The next day, Mary reappears to the girl in the same spot, while the child is with the goats. This time it is Mary herself, not a dove. She sends the child to the place called Roussas, because there is an eighty-something woman named Domingas Gregório who is bedridden. This woman has been ill for 18 years. Mary says that the woman will be healed if she comes to this place, where the girl and She are now standing. The sick woman is brought to the site of the apparition and is healed. She can walk home on her own. These events laid the foundation for the pilgrimage site.
In 1854, the steps leading to the pilgrimage site and Francisco Luís Barreiros' 20 chapels were constructed.
Construction of the pilgrimage church began in 1838 and was completed in 1857.
In 1860, statues of the four evangelists were placed on the church grounds.
Pilgrimage site
The pilgrimage site at Peneda is called “Santuario de Nossa Senhora da Peneda”. It is beautifully situated between mountains, on the right bank of the river named Peneda. Next to the pilgrimage site, a large waterfall can be seen.
In Peneda, Maria has the name “Our Lady of the Snow”.
The sanctuary is located on a mountain and can be reached not only by road, but also via many steps accompanied by statues of faith, hope, charity and glory.
The stairs are over 300 metres long and, in addition, 20 chapels have been built. These small buildings depict phases from the life of Jesus. The chapels were made by Francisco Luis Barreiros.
There is also a plateau in front of the church with statues of the four evangelists.
The pilgrimage church displays images of Mary, with pilgrims praying before them. The interior of the building is conducive to quiet contemplation of Mary.
Every year, many pilgrims come to the pilgrimage site. Great interest in Peneda is shown over nine days, usually from the end of August to the first week of September. There are many activities at this time.
The place of pilgrimage is open every day.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda is situated in northern Portugal, in Ponte da Barca, within the national park, on the N 202 road. Peneda is not far from Gavieira on the road to Melgaço. The pilgrimage site is located on the right bank of the River Peneda, next to a large waterfall.
More information can be found at www.walkingpenedageres.pt.
Experience
On my pilgrimage through the north of Portugal, I arrive in the town of Arcos de Valdevez. It’s then still about 40 km to go to get to Peneda. Via a motorway, that’s less than half an hour’s drive, but it’s different here. I cover the distance in a little under 2 hours, as the drive is over winding roads with many inclines.
Upon arrival in Penda, find a parking spot for the car and then enter the sanctuary. I see the ascending path with many chapels, and further uphill stands the pilgrimage church. It's quite a lot of steps to get to the top.
In the church, you can admire the great beauty, greet the statue of grace, and go in prayer before Our Lady. It is a small likeness of Mary, which stands in a golden niche above the altar.
In the church, there are many images of the Mother of God and these are splendid to me, one by one. Then I see an image of the Assumption of Mary. Our Lady stands on a cloud and angels escort Her to heaven.
As I leave the pilgrimage church, it truly sinks in that this is a wonderfully beautiful place of pilgrimage for Mary. What a beautiful gift I have received today by being able to visit this place.
Environment
The surroundings of Peneda are mountainous and are ideal for hiking, mountain biking and cycling. A visit to Portugal's only national park, Peneda-Gerês, is well worth it. It is a nature reserve of no less than 700 square kilometres.
From Porto, it's a 140 km journey north to reach Peneda.
Going north from Braga to Peneda is 97 km.
Travelling from Arcos de Valdevez to Peneda means covering 39 km to the northeast along roads that are partly narrow, steep, and winding.
Posted: 16 December 2024
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