Porto is full of tourist attractions such as Clérigos Tower and Lello Bookshop. However, it’s also worth exploring the surrounding area, where you’ll find fantastic places such as the Chapel of Senhor da Pedra, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia.
With its back to the sea and built on top of a rock, this small hermitage takes center stage in the middle of a long stretch of sandy beach. With its hexagonal shape and tile panel, it is far from unnoticed and attracts many visitors.
In fact, there’s a kind of mysterious aura that surrounds her. Shall we learn more about his story?
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History of the Chapel of Senhor da Pedra
It is said that, before the religious temple was built, there was a pagan culton this site, which was lost with the Christianization of European countries. But what is the origin of the hermitage?
The Chapel of Senhor da Pedra is an 18th-century building erected on a rock in a location that reflects its connection to the fishing community. Since its foundation, the hermitage has survived the passage of time and the fury of the sea.
One of the main traditions associated with this building is the pilgrimage in honor of Senhor da Pedra. This event takes place every year on Holy Trinity Sunday and is celebrated for three days.
The legend of the mysterious light
This ancient place still makes us dream today with its stories and legends. In this context, one of the best-known myths is linked to its very construction.
Legend has it that something happened when the inhabitants of Gulpilhares, the parish where the church is located, were preparing to build the chapel.
It is said that the locals’ initial plan was to build the temple in the yard, known as the arraial. However, as the first stones and walls were being erected, a mysterious light began to appear.
According to legend, this light appeared so insistently that it was considered a sign for the Chapel of the Lord of the Rock to be built on those rocks. Thus, the initial plan for the hermitage to embrace the place where the light appeared was abandoned.
Other myths and legends
However, the myth of the mysterious, insistent light is not the only one. One of the most famous legends in the national imagination also finds an echo here.
Legend has it that King Sebastião, on a typical foggy morning, returned on his horse, which stuck its legs in a rock. However, “O Desejado” (the name given to the young monarch, who lost his life in the Battle of Alcácer Quibir in North Africa) ended up leaving again.
This popular myth has been put forward to justify the existence of two round-shaped marks that are allegedly found at the site.
A destination of choice
However, the peculiarity of the Chapel of Senhor da Pedra is not only the mystery surrounding this place, but also its beauty . After all, the beach where the hermitage is located has already been considered one of the best in Europe, as part of the “European Best Destinations”.
It is also a popular location for photographers (both professional and amateur). Regardless of the time of year, the spectacular sight of this hermitage, built with its back to the sea, promises a scene worth remembering!
