Boa Nova Chapel

The Boa Nova Chapel, locally fully known as Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Boa Nova, lies near the village of Terena in the Alentejo Central region in Portugal.

The Boa Nova Chapel was built in the 14th century and is seen as contemporary to nearby Terena Castle. Although reference to a site, dedicated to the Mother Mary, was already made in the 13th century. In the vicinity, ruins of a temple were found, dedicated to the pre-Roman Lusitanian god Endovelicus, who was later assimilated into the Roman god Pluto. So the area has been a place of worship since long ago.

According to legend, the chapel was constructed on the spot where Maria of Portugal, Queen of Castile, received the good news (boa nova) that her father, Afonso IV of Portugal, would assist her husband, Alfonso XI of Castile, in the Battle of Río Salado, as she had requested.

The chapel is a prime Portuguese example of a fortified church from the 14th century. It has a cruciform plan and an austere exterior, with walls crowned by battlements and entrances guarded by machicolation.

The Boa Nova Chapel can be freely be visited during opening hours. A nice detour if you are visiting Terena Castle.

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