High above the Atlantic Ocean in Nazaré, Portugal, a timeless tale of faith and miracles has been woven into the fabric of this coastal town for centuries. It all began on a misty morning in 1182, when Dom Fuas Roupinho, a local nobleman, was out hunting near the cliffs. Chasing a deer through the thick fog, he suddenly realized he was galloping straight toward the edge of a cliff.
In that moment of panic, Dom Fuas remembered a nearby grotto where a statue of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus was kept. Desperately, he cried out, “Our Lady, help me!”* Miraculously, his horse stopped just in time, its hooves balanced on the very edge of the rocky cliff. This place, now known as the Point of the Miracle, is a testament to the extraordinary power of faith.
Overwhelmed with gratitude for his life, Dom Fuas went to the cave to pray and made a solemn decision to build a small chapel over it to honour the Virgin Mary. During the construction, workers made a remarkable discovery-an old chest containing relics and a parchment telling the story of the statue.
According to the legend, the statue was carved by Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father, and painted by Luke the Evangelist, making it one of the oldest Christian icons. It was brought to Portugal by monks fleeing persecution and hidden in the grotto centuries before Dom Fuas discovered it.
The chapel, now called the Chapel of Memory, still stands today. Nearby, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré welcomes visitors from around the world who come to see the place where faith, history, and legend intertwine. Simple yet powerful, this story of survival and gratitude continues to define the spirit of Nazaré.
Start your journey at Nazaré’s beach, where the scent of the sea and the bustle of fresh seafood restaurants set the tone. From here, make your way to the historic funicular, a 19th-century marvel connecting the lower town to Sítio, the cliffside district perched high above.
At the top, visit Ermida da Memória, the small chapel tied to the legend of Dom Fuas Roupinho. In 1182, while chasing a deer on horseback, he narrowly avoided plunging off the cliff when he prayed to the Virgin Mary, who miraculously stopped his horse. Nearby, the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, built in the 16th century, stands as a guardian over Praia do Norte, where the world’s largest waves draw surfers from across the globe.
On your descent, stroll through the nostalgic streets of Nazaré’s lower town, where tiled facades, narrow alleys, and the rhythm of local life immerse you in the town’s enduring spirit. This walk captures Nazaré’s dual essence: the raw power of the ocean and the intimate charm of its community.
