More info

16:00 - Guided visit to the Chapel of Santa Maria Maior According to legend, two Galician shipwrecked men washed up on the shores of Espinho and, as they had promised if they were saved, they had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady built there - the Chapel of Galegos (Galicians). Espinho, which was initially a small fishing village, grew and the chapel no longer met the needs of the population. But the location of the chapel caused some disagreement: the people of the sea wanted the chapel close to the Chapel of Galegos, while the noblemen wanted the chapel further away from the sea, because of the onslaught of the sea. In 1883, a new chapel was opened to worship Nossa Senhora da Ajuda and the Chapel of Galegos was burnt down. This chapel was elevated to the category of church and became a parish church in 1889. It was destroyed by the sea in 1904. The disputes continued and some dissidents built another chapel, which still exists today, consecrated to Santa Maria Maior, blessed on 25 September 1877. The equipment from the destroyed church came to this chapel, as well as the image of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, which is why the chapel is still known today by the name of the patron saint. This image is on the high altar, flanked by two large eighteenth-century sculptures: São Francisco and Santa Rita de Cassia. Free admission Sounds in Heritage Sites’ full programme at https://iporto.amp.pt/en/eventos/sounds-in-heritage-sites-2024/