Hermitage of Saint Anthony

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Praia da Vitória > Biscoitos > Canada de Santo António

Location

The Hermitage of Santo António is located in the locality of Biscoitos, a coastal area of Terceira Island, integrated into the municipality of Praia da Vitória. It is specifically situated in the area known as Canada de Santo António, distinguished by its proximity to the sea and the parish's famous natural pools. This coastal environment, which characterizes the surrounding landscape, has in a way shaped its own history and symbolism.

A Singular Origin

The history of the Hermitage of Santo António dates back to 1690, when it was erected on the initiative of José Dinis Ormonde, a military man who was in Terceira. Its construction is linked to a peculiar local narrative: it is said that the image of the patron saint was found by Ormonde floating in the sea, inside a wooden box, near the rocks that separate Biscoitos from the parish of Quatro Ribeiras. Popular tradition adds that when the image was taken to the parish church, it mysteriously returned to its place of origin, which reinforced the decision to build the hermitage at that exact spot.

Historical Marks

This place of worship witnessed significant events over time. During the Portuguese Civil War, between 1830 and 1833, the hermitage was the target of an act of desecration. Elements of Queen D. Maria II's Volunteer Battalion broke into the temple and threw the image of Santo António into the sea. However, the image was promptly recovered by Francisco Ormonde, and the hermitage, after this episode of disrespect, would be repaired and reconsecrated in 1874, a testament to its resilience and the community's faith.

Legacy and Celebration

Currently, the hermitage preserves its original 18th-century image, a valuable element of its heritage and a visible link to the past. The permanence of this centuries-old image reinforces the temple's connection to its long history. Every year, the site hosts the Feast of Santo António, a celebration that is part of the larger festivities of Porto dos Biscoitos, reflecting the cultural and religious importance that the hermitage maintains for the local community and visitors alike.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt