Chapel of Our Lady of Victory

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Guadalupe > Barro Branco

Location

The Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Vitória is located in the settlement of Vitória, a quiet area belonging to the parish of Guadalupe, in the municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa. This site, on Graciosa Island in the Azores, offers a more secluded environment, characteristic of the island's coastal communities. Its position is intrinsically linked to the island's history, being relatively close to Porto Afonso, which gives it particular significance in light of the events that led to its construction.

Historical Memory of a Victory

This religious temple was erected to mark a significant episode in the history of Graciosa Island: the expulsion of the Barbary pirates. On May 19, 1623, these corsairs disembarked at Porto Afonso and began plundering the localities. The resistance of the people of Graciosa culminated in a significant victory, which the hermitage commemorates, becoming a symbol of resilience and triumph for the community. Tradition holds that the leader of the pirate attack was buried near the site, reinforcing its link to this event.

The construction of the hermitage is also linked to the figure of Pedro Cunha Ávila, a captain who had been captured by pirates and taken to Algiers. After gaining his freedom, he returned to Portugal and, through alms collected in Lisbon, obtained an image of Nossa Senhora da Vitória. With this image, he returned to Graciosa and, with the support of the population, had this place of worship built, perpetuating the memory of the victory and faith.

A Legacy of Devotion and Tradition

Over the centuries, the Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Vitória played a central role in the religious and social life of Graciosa. The feast in honor of Nossa Senhora da Vitória was considered one of the most important pilgrimages on the island. On this day, the Tuesday of the Holy Spirit, work activities ceased to allow families from all over Graciosa to travel to the hermitage, often on foot, by donkey, or in ox-carts. They would arrive in the morning to attend mass and then share their packed lunches in the shade of the willows, in a gathering that highlighted the deep devotion and unity of the community.

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