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Description
The name of Nossa Senhora de Aracelis (Our Lady of Aracelis) comes from the Latin «ara coeli», meaning “altar of heaven”. The chapel itself was built in the 16th century, but the site was used as a lookout by Romans and Moors long before that. The view is absolutely amazing, and it is said that you can see another six chapels from there as far away as Loulé in the Algarve. The chapel is usually closed, but during the last weekend of August there is an annual pilgrimage to the site. An image of Our Lady of Aracelis is carried around the hill, a tradition that is said to bring good news for the coming crops.
It is an excellent place to observe birds of prey. For example Acvilă de câmp iberică, Acvilă de munte, Vultur sur and Vultur negru. Due to its large size, even at a great distance and with the help of a telescope, it is also possible to detect flocks of Dropie and, during the winter, Cocor. It is common to see family groups or larger flocks feeding in the cork oak forest areas or resting next to the dams.
Details
Access
This area is accessible by car. Once near the area, it can be explored by bike or walking. To get there, if you're coming from the Castro Verde region, follow the EN123 taking a detour to a small road heading to a small location called Salto. From there you follow the road a bit more and then a left turn to an uphill road will lead you there. If you're coming from the north just take the detour to Corte Pequena on EN122 from Beja to Mértola, and then another right turn to a dirt road with a sign to Nossa Senhora de Aracelis. On this case the road to the chapel is not paved so if it rains it can become quite difficult to reach even by car. There is a parking place near a small café close just before the chapel. Click on the P in the map for directions.