Capela de Nossa Senhora do Salto

Have you ever heard a story so fantastic that it feels almost impossible? Well, stand right here where you are, right in front of Capela de Nossa Senhora do Salto. The legend of this chapel is nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine a knight riding through the valley. He’s desperately trying to outrun the devil, who is disguised as a deer! He’s near the edge of a steep cliff, and with nowhere else to go he calls out to the Virgin Mary for her protection and begs her to help him. In a moment of divine intervention, she speaks, telling him that he must jump. Believing in the Virgin Mary, the knight summons his courage and jumps! Now, this is where the magic happens. The rocks in the river below soften to wax, and the knight and his horse land safely! This is a story that has been passed down through generations, and it’s what gives this little chapel its special name – Capela de Nossa Senhora do Salto, meaning “Chapel of Our Lady of the Leap.” You can see the horseshoe marks on the large rock in the riverbed below, where the horse landed safely. The chapel is even more miraculous when you consider that it was built in 1725, just a short time after the story of the knight and the devil. The people were so grateful for the Virgin Mary’s help that they built this chapel in her honor. If you look inside, you’ll see the image of Our Lady of Salto, overlooking the altar. It’s a small chapel, but its story is enormous! The interior has a beautiful wooden structure covered in tiles that gives it a special charm; tiles that depict the legend and the miracle. The chapel is a testament to the Virgin Mary’s power and serves as a reminder of the dangers that once lurked in this valley. It’s a place to reflect on faith, bravery, and the power of divine intervention.