The Sanctuary of “Senhora da Peneda” is located in the Parish of Gavieira, in the Municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, half-way between Soajo and Castro Laboreiro, in the heart of the Peneda mountain range. Situated above the banks of the Peneda stream, a tributary of the Laboreiro River, in the hydrological basin of the Lima River, is the Sanctuary of “Senhora da Peneda” and it’s associated buildings. These are built on a flat area under the granite outcrop known as “Penedo da Meadinha”.
The patron saint of this Sanctuary is “Senhora das Neves”, possibly being a reference to the local climate. The image of “Senhora das Neves”, was, according to legend, found in a small cave. The pilgrimage (“romaria”) to “Senhora das Neves”, which has taken place for many years, is held at the beginning of September.
The Sanctuary was built during the 18th and 19th century and was influenced by the Sanctuary of “Bom Jesus do Monte”, in Braga. The church was built in simple but strong lines with two bell towers. It’s façade has several niches in a nineteen-hundred eclectic style but with a lot of Baroque influence and opens out into an atrium that gives access to a staircase with a balustrade decorated with statues and pinnacles.
Below the church there is a large square surrounded by buildings which are used for welcoming the pilgrims and the old houses of the consistory. This square leads to a small open portico where one can see the statues of the four evangelists. This then leads onto a series of platforms and a granite staircase accompanying the twenty chapels denoting the stations of the cross. Crowning this flight of steps there is a baroque portico, with the royal coat of arms facing the sanctuary. In a niche is the image of “Senhora da Encarnação.