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GPS 38.34168417682093, -7.985716566549636

The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora d'Aires, also known as Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Aires, on the outskirts of Viana do Alentejo, is a work from the 18th century and can be considered one of the most interesting and highly visible sets of Alentejo baroque.

The project for the current sanctuary, which replaced the original one, was authored by the architect priest João Baptista of the Congregation of the Oratory of Estremoz who developed it between 1743 and 1760, with the works running until 1792.

The 19th-century expansion of the temple was commissioned by a group of 13 devotees from Évora of the Confraria de Nossa Senhora de Aires and derived both from the large influx of pilgrims that had begun in the 16th century and from the intention of demonstrating the importance of the said Confraternity.

It is a place of manifestation of faith and Catholic pilgrimages from all over the Alentejo, comprising, in addition to the sanctuary and annexes, the Fonte de Nossa Senhora d'Aires located in the Terreiro dos Peregrinos and also houses for pilgrims.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aires has been classified as a National Monument since 2012.

Description

The temple has a facade clearly influenced by the Convent of Mafra, both in terms of the narthex and the bell towers that flank it. The design of the pediment and windows on the first floor is interesting, giving it a civil architectural character. The entire upper area of ​​the building is crowned by a balustrade, punctuated by pinnacles.

Inside the Church, the element that stands out the most for its magnificence and display is the enormous gilded canopy that serves as a circular chancel and covers the image of Nossa Senhora d'Aires in a polychrome ançã stone, in a glazed shelter. the end of the fifteenth century or the beginning of the following. Comparable in terms of dimensions, there is only one other canopy in Portugal in the Church of São Vicente de Fora. The author of the canopy was the master carver from Évora, João de Almeida Negrão, who was hired by the Confraternity of Nossa Senhora de Aires in 1757.

The image of Nossa Senhora d'Aires, representing the Virgin of Piedade, probably comes from the Convent of Religious Sisters of S. Francisco de Viana do Alentejo, a convent that was abandoned in 1544.

History

The pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora d'Aires, in Viana do Alentejo, district and archdiocese of Évora, dates back to 1748, when the Marian cult began in this place located in the vicinity of the village of Viana do Alentejo. Everything was born from a vow made by some merchants (due to an epidemic that was raging in the region at the time). Once the vote was answered, the construction of the imposing sanctuary that today is the stage of this pilgrimage began.

Fair of Nossa Senhora d'Aires

The main pilgrimage is more properly a fair, originating from the charter of D. José, dated September 27, 1751, which authorized the holding of a free fair in this location. The fair/pilgrimage takes place on the fourth Sunday of September, when there is a small procession with the image of the Virgin around the temple (where there are numerous ex-votos).

Pilgrimage on horseback

The purpose of the pilgrimage on horseback is the recovery of a tradition that was abandoned some 70 years ago, when farmers and farmers went with their animals to the Sanctuary of N. Sr.ª d'Aires to ask for protection for their cattle and good harvests. .

The Pilgrimage on Horseback takes place, on the fourth weekend of April, between the Church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, in Moita do Ribatejo, and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora D’Aires, in Viana do Alentejo. The pilgrimage takes place along the former royal road, also known as the road to the Spaniards, covering a total of 120 km. This pilgrimage has an associated religious character, with the Virgin being transported in the pilgrimage.

In the first edition, in 2001, the pilgrimage had the participation of around 200 pilgrims.