Sanctuary of the forgotten God

In the district of Évora, in the heart of Alandroal, our coven embarked on a pilgrimage to the “Mine Rock” (Rocha da Mina), an ancient temple to the great Iberian God Endovelico. This was our first adventure, and we were unaware of the sanctuary’s exact location. We parked at the path’s start. All we knew was this road before us would lead to the sacred temple, if mischievous spirits did not lead us astray and prevent completing our pilgrimage.

I knew I was walking a sacred path. Before us, thousands had come, carrying offerings to the Old God. Some sought guidance, others healing, all bringing gifts to the temple Priesthood beside the sacred site. We could see rectangular foundations that experts suggest supported the sanctuary.

The sun beat down as we made our way through the dense, disorienting forest, now overtaken by eucalyptus. With no landmarks, it felt vast and foggy, recalling descriptions of an island not of these lands.

We had made a devotional clay plaque and humble offerings and small gifts, based on evidence at Rocha da Mina and nearby S. Miguel da Mota.

After a long walk, the majestic slate rock unveiled itself as we curved round the path. We paused, taking in this forgotten yet still powerful, mysterious place of worship.

The path then revealed a broken modern bridge, not decayed but purposefully taken down. In the Lucifecit rivulet, a reference to the old God, it lay severed. We saw it had been cut and not rebuilt, deactivated to impede access. Perhaps a secret oppressors’ mission, as it’s difficult to break an iron beam thus.

We crossed the dry rivulet, finding a narrow path up the rock’s peak. The intense climb eventually led us to a plateau with beautiful views. More climbing brought us to the absolute pinnacle — an intense, synchronous feeling, considering the thousands of pilgrims from across Iberia who came before.

At the top, kneeling, we placed our plaque and gifts on the main platform. I whispered a heartfelt petition to Endovelico for blessings. We meditated on the site’s history and meaning, a rare trace of Iberia’s lost peoples.

Departing the forest nourished and connected like past pilgrims, we were reminded how faith persists, taking new forms but never extinguished. Endovelico’s sanctuary remains an eternal flame.