Religious Temples

The Sanctuary of Sameiro is a place of pilgrimage and worship in the city of Braga. In addition, it’s the largest and most important center of devotion to the Virgin Mary in Portugal, after the Sanctuary of Fátima! Nowadays, the Sanctuary of Sameiro includes the Basilica and the Staircases, as well as squares, statues, and green spaces. Locals choose this spot to exercise, picnic, relax and watch the sunset. Mainly because the Sanctuary of Sameiro has the best panoramic views over Braga!

The Sanctuary of Penha is a Marian shrine located on Penha Mountain, the highest point in Guimarães. Designed by the architect José Marques da Silva, it was built between 1930 and 1947. Nowadays, the Sanctuary of Penha is considered one of the most emblematic works in Guimarães. But this “sacred place” on Penha Mountain is much more than a Catholic temple. In reality, it’s made up of chapels, caves, statues, fountains, boulders, viewpoints, gardens, parks, and many other structures!

Did you know that the Braga Cathedral is older than Portugal? Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the religious temple began to be built at the end of the 11th century – long before any other Portuguese cathedral! Although its architecture is primarily Romanesque, you can admire elements in other styles, such as Manueline and Baroque. To the left of the building, there’s the Treasure-Museum of the Braga Cathedral, a museum of sacred art where artifacts and relics from different centuries are exposed!

The Convent of the Capuchos is one of the least visited monuments in the Cultural Landscape of Sintra because it’s not served by public transportation. But if you prefer to discover places with few people, then you really need to explore this former Franciscan convent! Built with low environmental impact and in perfect harmony with the green landscape that surrounds it, the Convent of the Capuchos is the ideal place for outdoor lovers. In fact, it looks like it was sculpted by Mother Nature!

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda is located in Arcos de Valdevez, in the heart of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was built in the 18th and 19th centuries, inspired by the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, in Braga. If you’re thinking of visiting Portugal’s only national park in the near future, I think you should add the Sanctuary of Peneda to your travel itinerary. After all, its bucolic location in the middle of the mountains makes it a unique sanctuary!

The Sanctuary of Fátima emerged from the request made by Our Lady of the Rosary to the Three Little Shepherds, on the apparition of October 13th, 1917. What started as a small chapel in honor of the Virgin Mary, became a national sanctuary and the most important pilgrimage site in Portugal, with millions of visitors every year! Despite being a religious destination, the Sanctuary of Fátima is the perfect place for a day trip from Lisbon, due to the beautiful architecture of its many monuments!