Sanctuary Cross

The chapel was initially constructed between the 17th and 18th century. On 16 March 1758, Father Bento Peixoto de Almeida, in the Memórias Paroquiais of the parish of Calvão referred to the existence of the chapel to the invocation of Nossa Senhora das Necessidades (Our Lady of the Necessities) on a hilltop in the eastern part of the parish, approximately a quarter of a league. The record indicated that the roof was still uncovered. At the foot of the chapel is a large stone, known as the Pedra Benta (Blessed Stone), from which a "miraculous spring" flowed that healed the children with rickets in the name of the Virgin Mary. While there were no known pilgrimages to the site, locals from…

The rural sanctuary is situated on the flanks of the Serra do Catrapeiro, isolated within a forest park covered in northern pine and oak, delimited by low stone walls. The park is punctuated by large granite, stone monoliths, on which are situated a cross, band shelter, pond, various stone tables and bunks, as well as a washroom. On the upper platform is the erected chapel, with two support structures for pilgrims during feast days. Alongside the principal facade of the chapel are two stone bunks, flanking the portico. Approximately 500 m distance, in the direction of Calvão is a castro, that was referred by the locals as Outeiro dos Mouros, encircled by two lines of walls. At the rear of…