Mércoles Sanctuary
Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Mércoles, Monte de Mércoles, Castelo Branco 6000
Phone: +351 272 330 339
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Just 3 km to the east of the town, the Nossa Senhora de Mércoles Sanctuary is dedicated to the Virgin Mary with Santa Eufemia and Santa Luzia as secondary patron saints. Mystery surrounds the origins of this sanctuary which, in architectural style, is transitional Roman to Gothic. The earliest reference is to a ‘Capul Mercoris’ when adjoining land was donated to the Knights Templar. Now classified as a Building of Public Interest and an important place of pilgrimage, the church still maintains its early origins of a single nave and chapel, although it was subject to alterations in the 17th and 19th centuries.
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