Current Use: worship and devotional: pilgrimage church
Ownership: Private: Catholic Church
Construction Time: Séc.18
Architect / Builder / Author: Father John Baptist (risk) and Manuel Gomes (master piece), the author of the portal of the church is Manuel Antunes, Estremoz
Chronology: century. 16 - Expected date of construction of the first building - demolished in the century. 18, April 29, 1743 - is initiated and demolition of the old building, October 1744 - completion of the work of foundations and columns of the sanctuary, but placed only later, in 1750 - the columns are erected, 27 September 1751 - the influx of pilgrims determining the allocation, by the Marquis of Pombal, a permit for Fair Non Ms. de Aires, March 15, 1760 - solemn inauguration of the church, 1790 - running the front and two bell towers; 1804 - completion of these works and celebration of his second coronation.
Type: Religious architecture, pilgrimage church, baroque structure and decoration, with narthex and Latin cross plan, the timeline and its relatively isolated position possible to establish an analogy with the shrine of Lord Stone, in Óbidos (see 1012040037)
Details: The proportions - something oversized for a pilgrimage church - and ornamentation characteristically baroque. The entrance of the church, dated 1755, is an elaborate piece of carved rococo decor elements and frames fitomóficos a Latin dedication to Our Lady.
Technical Data: Walls wedges and thus strengthened by pilasters resting on masonry foundation pillars and arches, vaulted ceiling in half an orange.
Materials: mixed masonry walls of stone and brick mortar, plastered and whitewashed; wedges, pilasters and smooth marble span of granite, smoothing of openings, exterior moldings, arches and marble main portal; doors in painted wood and iron; coverage in tile straw, solid brick ceilings plastered and whitewashed, cobbled floors exterior of granite and marble, wood interior floors, slate and marble, and stone slab stairs, iron in the bay windows.
There are two legends told by the people. Which reports that a farm, called the Cowboys lived a wealthy farmer, it is assumed that Martin Cowboy, who owned a herd of cattle. On the farm there was a barn where every night the oxen were collected. At some point the employees of the farmer noticed that during the night leaving the corral for cattle grazing go, but the next morning were all inside with the door closed. We then tell the boss that the mystery was willing to go to sleep one night outside the corral. That night appeared to him in dreams Non Lady, who told him it was she who opened the door to the horse and that was His will that make that place a house of God and for that she herself would help him. The farmer he soon gather the materials needed to start the church and how much money you had to sell some of their oxen. However, when recounted, after the sale, the herd had the same account, was a miracle of Non Lady.
The appearance of the image of Lady d'Aires also has a legend, and is expressed in an inscription on the cover of the Sanctuary. It is a verse in Latin, which reports that after the expulsion of the Moors of these lands, a farmer plowing a field when found in a clay pot you see the image on the altar. About this legend says that the image was discovered by Martin Cowboy when he plowed the field.
In 1748, in Évora there a huge epidemic of plague, the merchants of that city to the Virgin promised Ms. d'Aires festival is a plague disappeared. As it turned out, the merchants held parties for three days in honor of the saint. The following year the festivities were even greater, with turnout of devotees not only but also of Évora neighboring populations. Already this year we set up around the church many stalls of food and pottery. The festivities were greatly increased and the stalls of merchants began to be such that the Senate Vianense obtained a charter in 1751, which stated that the market held next to the church was considered free fair. This takes place every year since then on the fourth Sunday of September.
The popular faith is proven by the House of Miracles, whose walls are completely lined with votive offerings, constituting one of the most interesting 'museum' of folk art in the country, where people put their promises to pay to the Protector. Noteworthy are the oldest ex-votos, which are popular creations painted on board, screen and cupric plate, the oldest dating from 1735.
Currently, ex-votos take the form of photographs, wax figures, embroidery, tile panels, dresses and bridal bouquets, etc.. All believers of Santa, around the country, moving to Viana do Alentejo essentially at the time of the fair, lay here and promises of payments thanks to N ª Senhora d'Aires.
The cross with 2 meters high is based on a small block which in turn is based on three steps. All these parts are composed of limestone.