Portugal is filled with mysterious places. I wanted to focus on a small enchanted place which is like a pearl. A chapel in the middle of the ocean! Only during high tide and located on Miramar Beach in Gulpilhares, District of Porto in Portugal.
The chapel faces the mainland, and visible all the time, during the day from sunrise until sunset. Sometimes it looks unique on top of steps. Other times it seems surrounded by the sea.
Hexagon shaped, double sided alter within, statues of religious icons, the interior is a baroque style and includes a spiral staircase. It was built in 1686 and looks very much like a sand castle. It's survived menacing storms and huge waves beating around the rocks. One of the legends about deciding to build a chapel there was a vision of divine light leading a ship to safety.
The connection with magic comes from stories and legends of Pagan rituals. The exact site was a location of ancient Celtic peoples worshipped on there for thousands of years. During the full moon, it's a significant place for modern Pagans who bring candles.
Behind the chapel is a stone with a mysterious hoof print, called "Mark of the Ox" believed to be from a legend of an ox warming baby Jesus and also could be a horseshoe print belonging to a horse ridden by King Sebastian.
During Feast of the Lord of the Stone, which lasts three days, a procession of mysterious hooded women lead the festivities. This blends food from Christian faith as well as from local cuisine. Christians and Pagans both value the sacred site.
She Wolf Night
I don't want to be inside there during a hurricane.
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