As we look through the pages of the history of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aires, we can see that it has always been a place of passage and encounter of the Catholic faith. Numerous groups of pilgrims flocked to the sanctuary in their faith, coming from places such as Alvito, Alcácer do Sal, Vidigueira, Cuba, Beja, Torrão, Montemor-o-Novo, Évora, and Vila de Frades, during the festive periods of September and October.
The surroundings of the sanctuary record the Roman presence in the space with a vicus (territorial unit) dating back to the 2nd century AD, as well as the presence of the Arab people from the 7th century AD. Some historical sources mention the presence of a chapel in the 16th century, with a possible connection to the Templar presence in the territory. This 16th century chapel, which is preceded by a paleo-Christian temple, saw its architecture expanded through a Baroque project, implemented between 1743 and 1804, which was in charge of Father João Baptista, Oratorian of S. Filipe de Neri de Estremoz, with Manuel Gomes (Évora Cathedral) as Master Builder.
Located in the hamlet of Viana do Alentejo, around 30 kilometres away from Évora, the Santuário de Nossa Senhora D'Aires (Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora D'Aires) venerates the statue of the old matron Nossa Senhora da Piedade, in Portugal.
The statue shows the Virgin sitting, holding on her hands Jesus dead. The legend says the statue was always helping believers.
Free access. Closed Mondays.
Translated by Google •
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