Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel Sanctuary

Visit the Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel Sanctuary during your stay in Setúbal.

Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel Sanctuary
© Celestino Manuel

The Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel (Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel Sanctuary) is a shrine located about 12 kilometres far from the city of Sesimbra, in Setúbal, Portugal.

This shrine was built in the 18th century over a giddy cliff in the Espichel Cape, from where it’s possible to distinguish the beautiful barras (backshore) of the beaches of Lisbon and Cascais and the great bay of Setúbal.

The statue of the Virgin of this shrine is venerated since a long time ago, but it was so mainly during Baroque times.

Its building, characterised by fluid lines, is composed of a façade flanked by two bell towers covered with orientalising roofs, and crowned by a twisted facade that features a central niche with the statue of the Virgin.

The real statue of the Virgin is saved in a golden silver embroidery located in the main chapel.

On both sides of the chapel, and making up a large U with a central courtyard, there are several two-story residences for pilgrims separated by families but with common spaces like the kitchen or the woodshed.

A few metres far from the chapel it is possible to find a monumental fountain whose water comes from a long aqueduct.

During the last Sunday of September, this chapel and the city of Sesimbra gain importance due to its Fair of Espichel Cape. These celebrations commemorate the appearance of the Virgin Mary in the 15th century, with which people go on procession from church to church until they arrive to the cape.

Recommended Excursions:

Mapa Interactivo:

Sesimbra

What to see:

More cities in the Lisbon Region:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

Portugal Travel is an organization of Portuguese agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Portugal, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.

In collaboration with:

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Turismo de Portugal