We are about a week cycling in the Serra da Estrela area. We have already cycled on top of the mountain, at the foot and on the slopes.
For today, a visit to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel and a traditional farm was planned.
We started the day visiting the beautiful and well-maintained chapel, the center of one of the largest and most traditional popular festivals in this region, which attracts thousands of people every year.
It’s a chapel that impresses with the simplicity and the sober layout shape, surrounded by a festival park and nearby there is a beautiful carport in honor of Anthony the Great.
Built in 1905, with the existing stone in this area (Granite), it’s painted white and on the main facade in addition to the 3 windows and the door, there is only a crucifix on the top, a small bell and a wonderful image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Child on their lap.
This image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, placed on top of the chapel entrance door, is absolutely wonderful and has a very interesting detail, the child (Jesus) is looking down, with a very friendly smile, seeming to be greeting / blessing all the people who enter the chapel.
Later, on the visit we made to a nearby farm, we learned that this image was offered by the owner of that farm (click here to visit the farm), as a thank you for no member of your family having been a victim of the Spanish flu, which similarity to the current reality (Covid 19) affected and caused thousands of victims in Portugal, in the years 1918, 1919 and 1920.
