Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel

At Sesimbra’s westernmost point stands the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel, a singular civil and religious architectural ensemble that unites the monumentality of the building with the immateriality of religious devotion. The cathedral, guesthouses, Ermida da Memoria, Opera House (in ruins), Hortas dos Peregrinos, Casa da Água, and aqueduct are all included. The landscape setting of this monument, which is on a plateau that ends in cliffs that lead to the sea, makes it monumental.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Cape Espichel, also known as Nossa Senhora da Pedra Mua, is one of the most impressive sites in this region for its location and its remarkable natural architectural complex. Its worship dates back to 1410, when the venerated image of Our Lady of the Cape was discovered at the tip of Cape Espichel by two old men from Caparica and Alcabideche, who were given signs from Heaven in coinciding dreams. Until the start of the 18th century, the grounds around the primitive temple were encased by houses for the pilgrims who travelled there on pilgrimage to venerate the image.

The current church was built by royal order between 1701 and 1707, with architect João Antunes designing it. As of 1715, the heavy influx of pilgrims to the Cape forced the construction of two wings of inns with housing and shops, which were enlarged between 1745 and 1760. Later, a supply system including the aqueduct and the water house was built, and, after that, the Opera House, of which only ruins remain.

Inside, you will find a number of valuable artistic relics, namely the altarpiece of the high altar in the national baroque style, which guards the image of the Lady of the Cape; the painted ceilings (done in 1740 by Lourenço da Cunha) and the 16th century paintings by the Master of Lourinhã, representing Saint James and Saint Anthony, which can be seen in the sacristy. The gallery on top of the high altar, which was meant for royal visits, is also worth looking at.

A few metres from the Sanctuary, on the cliffs, remains the little Hermitage of Memory, dating from the 15th century and built on the exact spot of the apparition. Inside, there are tile panels from the 18th century that show the story of the Lady of the Cape.