It is located at the top of Santa Luzia hill, in the parish of Santa Maria Maior, in the city, municipality and district of Viana do Castelo, Northern Portugal
The Temple stands as the "ex libris" and visiting card of the city of Viana do Castelo, from the top you can see a unique view of the region that combines the sea, the Lima river with its valley, and the entire surrounding mountain complex, a panorama considered the 3rd best in the world according to National Geographic (1927).
Visitors can go up to Monte de Santa Luzia by funicular (elevator), by car or via the staircase, and from here you can see the river and a large part of the seafront, and the green mountains.
The temple has a plan in the shape of a Greek cross with elements in neo-romantic, neo-gothic and Byzantine styles in an eclectic and revivalist style that marked the turn of the century.
The model was imported from France, where architect Ventura Terra learned, and he is responsible for the construction of this Sanctuary in 1899.
The construction of this temple dedicated to Santa Luzia and the Sacred Heart of Jesus began in 1904, lasting until 1959, and was designed by architect Miguel Ventura Terra, who was succeeded by architect Miguel Nogueira, after the death of his master in 1919.
The architectural typology is of Romanesque-Byzantine inspiration, integrating itself with the revivalist architecture that marked the turn of the century, and its imposing rose windows are the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and the second largest in Europe.
At the summit you have to climb many stairs to the top, and the last spiral staircase is extremely narrow and high, but when you reach the top you can see a stunning view over the region considered one of the best in the world.
When entering Viano do Castelo you can see this amazing monument at the top of the hill, the way there by car is good and there is free parking, but there are also funiculars or stairs that can be used by younger people.
The stained glass windows for the rose windows were made in Lisbon, in Ricardo Leone's workshop, and the rose windows that frame them are the largest in the Iberian Peninsula.
The frescoes representing the Passion and Ascension of Christ on the dome were designed by Manuel Pereira da Silva.
The two cherubs on the main altar were designed by the sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, and were made in Vila Viçosa marble by the masters Emídio Lima and Albino Lima.
The Heart of Jesus located in the center of the main altar was created on the model of a bronze statue by the sculptor Aleixo de Queiroz Ribeiro, executed by master Lima under the supervision of the sculptor Martinho de Brito.
The three altars (the main one and the two side ones) in magnificently worked granite were sculpted by Emídio Lima, as well as the two pulpits.
On the main facade of the temple there is a bronze statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the sculptor Aleixo de Queiroz Ribeiro dating from 1898, which predates the building itself.
A few meters away are the ruins of the old city of Santa Luzia or citânia de Santa Luzia and the Hotel de Santa Luzia.
Visitors can go up to Monte de Santa Luzia by funicular (elevator), by car or via the staircase, and from here you can see the river and a large part of the seafront, and the green mountains.
The temple has a plan in the shape of a Greek cross with elements in neo-romantic, neo-gothic and Byzantine styles in an eclectic and revivalist style that marked the turn of the century.
The model was imported from France, where architect Ventura Terra learned, and he is responsible for the construction of this Sanctuary in 1899.
The construction of this temple dedicated to Santa Luzia and the Sacred Heart of Jesus began in 1904, lasting until 1959, and was designed by architect Miguel Ventura Terra, who was succeeded by architect Miguel Nogueira, after the death of his master in 1919.
The architectural typology is of Romanesque-Byzantine inspiration, integrating itself with the revivalist architecture that marked the turn of the century, and its imposing rose windows are the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and the second largest in Europe.
At the summit you have to climb many stairs to the top, and the last spiral staircase is extremely narrow and high, but when you reach the top you can see a stunning view over the region considered one of the best in the world.
When entering Viano do Castelo you can see this amazing monument at the top of the hill, the way there by car is good and there is free parking, but there are also funiculars or stairs that can be used by younger people.
The stained glass windows for the rose windows were made in Lisbon, in Ricardo Leone's workshop, and the rose windows that frame them are the largest in the Iberian Peninsula.
The frescoes representing the Passion and Ascension of Christ on the dome were designed by Manuel Pereira da Silva.
The two cherubs on the main altar were designed by the sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, and were made in Vila Viçosa marble by the masters Emídio Lima and Albino Lima.
The Heart of Jesus located in the center of the main altar was created on the model of a bronze statue by the sculptor Aleixo de Queiroz Ribeiro, executed by master Lima under the supervision of the sculptor Martinho de Brito.
The three altars (the main one and the two side ones) in magnificently worked granite were sculpted by Emídio Lima, as well as the two pulpits.
On the main facade of the temple there is a bronze statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the sculptor Aleixo de Queiroz Ribeiro dating from 1898, which predates the building itself.
A few meters away are the ruins of the old city of Santa Luzia or citânia de Santa Luzia and the Hotel de Santa Luzia.
