Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Praia da Vitória > Praia da Vitória > Santa Cruz

Location:

The Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies is located in the Santa Cruz area, in the town of Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island, Azores. This small chapel is harmoniously integrated into the urban fabric, occupying a corner plot and adapting to the natural slope of the terrain. Although flanked by other buildings, it maintains a distinct presence, with well-maintained sidewalks and small flowerbeds adorning its main facade, offering a glimpse of tranquility in the heart of the town.

Singular Architecture:

Dating from the 17th century and possibly reformed in the 18th century, the chapel features a rectangular plan encompassing a nave and a chancel, which is narrower and lower. Its facades, whitewashed and with a black band at the base, stand out due to the distinctive nature of their structural elements (quoins, cornices, and window frames) which are highlighted by a vibrant orange polychromy, giving it a unique character and a "popular flavor." The main facade, facing west, culminates in a truncated gable crowned by a Latin cross, and is adorned with a portal and a segmental arch window. Inside, simple and inviting, two collateral altarpieces can be observed.

Memory and Faith:

The history of the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies is marked by moments of resilience and devotion. Its original construction dates back to 1616, as indicated by a date inscribed on a side door, attesting to its antiquity. Over the centuries, the temple suffered significant damage due to earthquakes, such as the one in 1641 and the one that caused a flood in 1755, but it was always restored. In the 18th century, the chapel underwent a probable reform that shaped part of its current appearance, and the bell tower visible today was likely added in the 20th century. The chapel remains an active place of worship, serving as the starting and ending point for the annual procession that, on June 5th, commemorates the 1841 earthquake, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive in Praia da Vitória.

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