It is located at the top of Monte de Nossa Senhora da Paz, municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, on the island of São Miguel, Autonomous Region of the Azores, Portugal
The temple was built in 1764 and dates back to a more primitive temple built possibly in the 16th century, according to tradition in the place where a shepherd found an image of the Virgin in a cave.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace is proudly located near the beautiful Vila Franca do Campo, once the capital of the magnificent São Miguel Island, Azores Archipelago.
The current temple dates back to the 18th century, and was built on a previous one, probably from the 16th century, built by the population in honor of the Virgin by a pastor who miraculously found an image of her there.
In times of attacks by pirates and corsairs, populations had great faith in the protection that this temple granted.
The church of Nossa Senhora da Paz is one of the most famous monuments in the region and constitutes this Monte de Nossa Senhora da Paz as one of the most privileged viewpoints of the town and the surrounding area.
The temple has an extensive staircase (100 steps) up to the sanctuary, incredible tile and stone work, flower beds with hydrangeas, a fantastic view of Vila Franca do Campo with green pasture meadows, access is easy and there is parking on site.
A place of pilgrimage to Our Lady of Peace, who is the Patron Saint of Vila Franca do Campo festivities, experienced with great intensity by local residents.
A natural viewpoint that is a reflection of one of the immense beautiful places on the island of São Miguel, the stairs of the hermitage are decorated with tiles, the interior of the hermitage is simple but beautiful.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace is proudly located near the beautiful Vila Franca do Campo, once the capital of the magnificent São Miguel Island, Azores Archipelago.
The current temple dates back to the 18th century, and was built on a previous one, probably from the 16th century, built by the population in honor of the Virgin by a pastor who miraculously found an image of her there.
In times of attacks by pirates and corsairs, populations had great faith in the protection that this temple granted.
The church of Nossa Senhora da Paz is one of the most famous monuments in the region and constitutes this Monte de Nossa Senhora da Paz as one of the most privileged viewpoints of the town and the surrounding area.
The temple has an extensive staircase (100 steps) up to the sanctuary, incredible tile and stone work, flower beds with hydrangeas, a fantastic view of Vila Franca do Campo with green pasture meadows, access is easy and there is parking on site.
A place of pilgrimage to Our Lady of Peace, who is the Patron Saint of Vila Franca do Campo festivities, experienced with great intensity by local residents.
A natural viewpoint that is a reflection of one of the immense beautiful places on the island of São Miguel, the stairs of the hermitage are decorated with tiles, the interior of the hermitage is simple but beautiful.
The legend of the Hermitage of Our Lady of Peace
Many shepherds worked in the hills around Vila Franca do Campo. On a certain day, some of them retreated to one of the caves there to take shelter from the bad weather, finding an image of Our Lady.
Amazed by the find, they took it to the Main Church where they handed it over to the parish priest.
The following day, the shepherds found the image again, in the same cave. Returned to the Main Church, the phenomenon repeated itself for a few days until the people understood that the image wanted to have a hermitage in that place.
The construction materials began to be transported to a location further below the cave, a place more sheltered from the strong winds, and work began.
The next day, when the workers arrived to start the day's work, they found the place torn apart, and the stones placed in the place where the image was first found.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was built there with the Baby Jesus on her lap, holding an olive branch in her hand.
Amazed by the find, they took it to the Main Church where they handed it over to the parish priest.
The following day, the shepherds found the image again, in the same cave. Returned to the Main Church, the phenomenon repeated itself for a few days until the people understood that the image wanted to have a hermitage in that place.
The construction materials began to be transported to a location further below the cave, a place more sheltered from the strong winds, and work began.
The next day, when the workers arrived to start the day's work, they found the place torn apart, and the stones placed in the place where the image was first found.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was built there with the Baby Jesus on her lap, holding an olive branch in her hand.
The Classification of the Church of Our Lady of Peace
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Paz has been classified as a Property of Public Interest by the Regional Government of the Azores since 1991.
