Chapel Of Our Lady Of The Snows (Igreja/Nossa Senhora Das Neves)

The small chapel of Our Lady of the Snows stands near the top of the Serra de Montejunto, the limestone ridge in the Oeste region north of Lisbon, and it is one of the best-known landmarks on the summit. Like many mountaintop chapels in Portugal, it is a modest building, plain and whitewashed, with a simple door and a small bell. Its isolated position, with views over the surrounding countryside, makes it an appealing place for a short stop on a walk or a drive along the ridge.

The dedication has an unusual origin. Nossa Senhora das Neves, Our Lady of the Snows, is a title that goes back to a legend from Rome in the 4th century, in which snow was said to have fallen on a hill in the heat of August and marked out the site on which a church was to be built, the basilica now known as Santa Maria Maggiore. The feast is celebrated on 5 August, and chapels with this name were built in many parts of Europe, often on mountains where snow stayed late in the year. On Montejunto, the name suits a place where winters are cold and the old royal ice works, nearby, once collected frozen water to be carried to Lisbon.

Chapels like this one often served as destinations for local pilgrimages, where people from the villages below would climb to the summit on a feast day for Mass, a picnic, and a day of music and company. These festivals, known as romarias, are an important part of rural life in Portugal, and they continue in many mountain communities. The chapel is a quiet place on other days, which is part of its attraction.

The setting adds to the interest. The summit has far-reaching views over the plain toward the Atlantic and the Tagus estuary, and on clear days the sea can be seen. Old windmills stand on the ridge, and paths lead across rocky ground covered with aromatic plants and wild flowers, especially in spring. The wind can be strong and the weather changeable, with mist and cloud arriving quickly, so bring a windproof layer and sturdy shoes.

The chapel may be closed outside festival days, so the exterior and surroundings are the main interest. It suits walkers, photographers, and those who enjoy quiet, remote places, and a stop here fits well into a day in the serra.