The Chapel of Our Lady of Confidence is located on a hill near the village of Pedrógão Pequeno, offering a phenomenal view of the Cabril Dam, as well as the Serra da Lousã and Sicó mountains, and on clear days, even the Serra da Estrela mountain range.
Of immemorial construction, it is believed to have been built on the remains of a pre-Lusitanian hill fort around the 13th century by a noble knight who, according to legend, while imprisoned and on his way to Coimbra, spent the night in a cell in the Pedrogão Pequeno prison. He claimed to be a victim of court intrigues, and in his despair, he resolved to pray, imploring the Virgin Mary for protection and confidence in his innocence. Looking at the hill ahead, he had a vision of the image of Our Lady appearing among the stars. At that moment, he promised to have a chapel built there, which he fulfilled after his absolution, under the invocation of Our Lady of Confidence. The current building was constructed in 1906 by order of the Conceição e Silva family.
The current chapel has simple lines and consists of a single nave, with a choir above the main entrance. Its altars are of great value for their antique carvings, which belonged to the former Convent of Santo Antônio da Sertã. The altars depict Saint George, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Our Lady of Confidence (main altar).
Being a chapel with special management, not exclusively parish-run, Mass is not celebrated there regularly, only on festive occasions, or weddings and baptisms. Every year, however, festivities are held in honor of Our Lady of Confidence on the 7th, 8th and 9th of September.
We look forward to your visit!
