Portuguese version here.

GPS 38.76970471855794, -9.46046005253981

Up there, at 488 meters above sea level, Peninha Sanctuary enchants with its unshakable magic and mystique. Built by popular devotion, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha (Peninha) appears after an alleged apparition of Our Lady to a poor shepherdess. This architectural ensemble also comprises the centuries-old chapel of São Saturnino and an enigmatic romantic-revivalist palace built in 1918 by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro (owner of Quinta da Regaleira).

A place of worship since ancient times and heir to a long magical-religious tradition, it is shrouded in legends that have passed through generations of pilgrims.

History

It is impossible to dissociate the history of this Sanctuary from its legend. She tells us that, in the reign of D. João III, a mute and very poor shepherdess, born in Almoinhas Velhas, who had the habit of walking her sheep in the vicinity, lost one of her sheep. In the distance, he saw a lady who was carrying the lost sheep. Being mute, the shepherdess thanked her as best she could. The lady asked her for some bread, but the shepherdess told her that she didn't have any, as she was very poor.

The lady then told him that when he got home he should call his mother and ask her for bread. The shepherdess, who knew she didn't have bread in the house and aware that, being mute, she couldn't call for her mother, explained to the woman that it was impossible to carry out such a task. After much insistence, the shepherdess agreed.

Upon arriving, he called for his mother and, by a miracle, his voice was heard. She explained what had happened and together they went in search of bread around the house. In a chest, they found enough bread to feed the entire village and end the times of famine.

As thanks, the whole village went up to the hill where the encounter with the lady had taken place and, in the exact place of the event, they saw the image of Our Lady. From that moment on, this became a sacred place of worship.

At the end of the 17th century, Friar Pedro da Conceição, with the support of alms from the faithful and King D. Pedro II, ordered the erection of a chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Peninha, as well as the houses of pilgrims who served as support for pilgrims.

However, this was not the first temple built on the site whose sacredness is lost in time. Already in the 12th century, there was the chapel called São Saturnino, the work of Pêro Pais, ensign and standard-bearer of the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques.

In 2017, Parques de Sintra, the ICNF (Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests) and EMAC (Municipal Company for the Environment and Cascais) signed a protocol for the management of Quinta da Peninha. In this context, Parques de Sintra is responsible for the rehabilitation and management of the Peninha Sanctuary's buildings, in order to ensure good conditions for the enjoyment of this heritage by the public.

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