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The Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra is located in the parish of Santa Maria, in the municipality of Óbidos, in the western region of Portugal. The Sanctuary was classified as a Monument of Public Interest in 2013.

The Castelo de Óbidos is a medieval castle and symbolically towers over the town of Óbidos. The fortification is likely of Roman origin, but the region was settled even earlier, in prehistoric times. Its eventful history over the decades can be found here: https://www.burgen.de/burgen-und-schloesser/portugal/castelo-de-obidos/ In the 20th century, the Castelo de Óbidos was found completely in ruins. Starting in 1932, the castle underwent the first consolidation, reconstruction, and restoration work. It was restored to accommodate state guests – the first Portuguese state accommodation in a historic building. Therefore, the interior of the castle is unfortunately no longer open to visitors.

The website www.visitportugal.com recommends this church, stating: "Don't miss a visit to this sanctuary, located outside the city walls of Óbidos. Its octagonal exterior silhouette stands out from afar and is crowned by a large pyramid covered with green glazed tiles. It was built between 1740 and 1747, during the Baroque period. However, its details were never completed. Perhaps this is why several of the windows are strangely reversed. It is dedicated to Senhor da Pedra, and the pilgrimage to this site takes place on May 28th."

Very beautiful

The Sanctuary of Senhor da Pedra is a Baroque temple located on the outskirts of Óbidos. It has the particularity of articulating a cylindrical volume (exterior) with a hexagonal polygon (interior), in a centered plan to which three bodies are attached (two corresponding to the towers and another corresponding to the sacristy). In its program of symmetries, the play of inverted windows stands out. Its interior has three chapels: the main chapel dedicated to Calvary, with a painting by André Gonçalves, and the side chapels dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception and the Death of Saint Joseph, with paintings by José da Costa Negreiros. The “strange” stone image of the Crucified Christ, on its own pedestal on the High Altar, was kept in a small chapel next to the road to Caldas da Rainha until the inauguration of the Sanctuary, where it was the object of great devotion, particularly by King D. João V. The construction of the Sanctuary is due to the miracle that occurred with King D. João V “Valha-me o Senhor da Pedra” (The Lord of the Stone).

Simply a wonderful experience

In 2007, Óbidos Castle was declared the second of the seven most important monuments of Portuguese architectural heritage by the Seven Wonders of Portugal competition. On December 11, 2015, UNESCO recognized Óbidos as a literary city, as part of the Creative Cities Network program. (Source: Wikipedia)

At this location at the top of the Serra de Montejunto, also known as "Torre" due to the various antennas that were installed there, is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, which may have been built in the 13th century and remodelled and expanded during the 16th century and later. Inside, the altars covered with 17th century tiles and the altarpiece of the main altar, from the 18th century, stand out. Next to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, are the ruins of what is considered to be the first Dominican Convent in Portugal, built in the 12th century and abandoned after the extinction of the religious orders, and is currently in ruins. Also nearby are the ruins of the Royal Ice Factory, classified as a National Monument. Here, in the 18th century, the Dominican monks took advantage of the climatic and geological conditions and opened large tanks connected by narrow passages, one part for the production of ice and the other for its preparation, storage and conservation. The ice was later transported to Lisbon, to supply the court and the café at Terreiro do Paço, later known as Martinho da Arcada (Fernando Pessoa's Café)