About the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Viana do Castelo, Portugal:
Towering above this quaint and interesting Portuguese coastal town is the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, although it is more commonly called the Church of Santa Luzia (Saint Lucy). Historically, the people of Viana had been devoted to it since 1743. However, it was in 1918, during the pneumonic pandemic, that the city consecrated itself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Terrified by the violence of the outbreak and mourning the loss of so many who had perished, the people of Viana vowed to climb annually on a pilgrimage to “Monte de Santa Luzia” if no more lives were taken. When the mortality ceased, the inhabitants fulfilled their promise, and they began ascending the mount annually in 1920. The church itself had already been under construction since 1904. To this day, the promise is kept with a pilgrimage from the city to the top of the hill on the nearest Sunday to the liturgical feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pilgrimages had already begun in the previous century, although they were less organized and without a fixed schedule. In 1984, when the devotees climbed the hill during the “Festas d’Agonia”, Father Dias Silvares suggested the creation of a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on top of the hill to watch over and bless the city, the Minho region, and the entire nation. Sculptor Aleixo Queiroz Ribeiro was chosen to execute the work.
After suffering from a serious case of ophthalmia (conjunctivitis), Cavalry Captain Luís de Andrade prayed in the now-demolished chapel of Saint Lucy (patron saint of sight) and asked for her intercession. His illness was cured. He thanked her by establishing the “Confraria de Santa Luzia” (Confraternity of Saint Lucy) in Viana do Castelo.
Construction began in 1904 and progressed energetically until the Proclamation of the Republic. From this point on, the process slowed down due to the turbulent political and social context. World War I further delayed the process. In 1925, architect Miguel Nogueira, an apprentice of Ventura Terra, took over the project after his master’s death. Just one year later, the works on the chancel were completed, and the Archbishop and Lord of Braga and Primate of Spain had the honor of opening it to the public.
A statue was placed here, then it was discovered that it couldn’t bear the weight of the statue, which was strongly leaning forward. Therefore, the statue was placed on a pedestal in front of the chapel of Santa Luzia, was demolished in 1926. Taking advantage of the majestic column, Miguel Ventura Terra, one of the greatest architects of his time, envisioned an identical column to be placed in front of the church to be constructed, serving as support for two angels. Between these two columns, Ventura Terra designed a magnificent church, whose beauty and grandeur are only matched by the landscape it is set in.
The exterior works of the church were finished at the end of 1943, and the interior works in 1959. The result is an imposing granite structure carved and executed by the master stonemasons of the region under the direction of Emídio Pereira Lima.
Climbing Santa Luzia hill is a unique experience, offering a 360º view of the area. including not only the countryside, but the Lima River and the Atlantic Ocean.
Traveling to the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Viana do Castelo, Portugal:
The nearest airport to Viana do Castelo is Porto (OPO). “Get Bus” operates a bus from Porto – Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro to Terminal Rodoviário de Viana do Castelo every 4 hours. The journey takes 50 min.
Address: 4900 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Phone: +351 258 823 173