Monuments

The 16th century Chapel of Senhora das Areias is a small hermitage and pilgrimage site. It was built as a result of the apparition of Our Lady to a woman who was desperately crying for help after losing her house keys. The Virgin Mary indicated where she could find them. When the woman returned to the boulder where the apparition had taken place, Our Lady asked her to request the people of the town to build a chapel dedicated to her and as a result she would save them from illnesses.

When the people learned the news, they rushed to the site and scratched against the boulder in order to drink from the sandy waters to which they attributed miraculous powers. The Bishop was sceptical and ordered the boulder to be taken to Aljubarrota from where it subsequently disappeared. In the belief that it had been taken by the locals, he ordered it to be removed once again and this time placed it next to the head of his bed but while sleeping it once again disappeared. Thereby convinced of the veracity of the apparition, the Bishop ordered the chapel to be built.