Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Açores > Madalena > Mirateca > Santo António do Monte
Situated in the urbanization of Santo António do Monte, in the locality of Mirateca, this hermitage is located in the municipality of Madalena, on Pico Island. Its presence is a landmark for the local community, marking the identity of this area of the Azorean island.
The emergence of the Hermitage of Santo António do Monte is intrinsically linked to the needs of the inhabitants of Lugar do Monte, in the parish of Candelária, who, in the early 20th century, lacked a nearby place of worship and had to travel to receive religious assistance. Driven by this need, the community, predominantly composed of farmers and winegrowers, united their own efforts and resources to bring this project to life. Collective dedication allowed the building to be roofed by 1911 and opened to the public the following year, 1912. Despite the difficulties and the exclusive reliance on the work and support of the residents, the temple, dedicated to Saint Anthony, gave its name to the settlement itself. The hermitage's tower, a testament to the community's persistence, would only be completed later, in 1951. In 2006, the hermitage was elevated to the category of Independent Curate, or Quasi-Parish.
Inside, the Hermitage of Santo António do Monte features a simple layout, yet rich in sacred iconography, with three main altars. The main altar stands out for the presence of a significant sculpture of Saint Anthony at its center, flanked by images of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and Our Lady of Fátima. On the side altars, we find devotional representations dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, each accompanied by other venerated figures such as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Our Lady of Conception, Saint Joseph, and the Infant Jesus of Prague. More recently, starting from 2014, the space was enriched with a chapel dedicated to Ecce Homo, a figure highly venerated in the Azorean islands under the designation of Senhor Santo Cristo, whose sculpture was a gift from a young parishioner. The hermitage will soon receive a pipe organ, which promises to further enhance the celebrations and cultural events held there.
Annually, the Hermitage of Santo António do Monte is the focal point of one of the locality's most notable celebrations: the feast in honor of Saint Anthony, held on the third Sunday of August. This festive date, which follows the saint's birth anniversary (August 15th), is a moment of great cultural and religious significance for the community. The event is known for its diverse program, combining cultural activities with religious celebrations, and attracts a large number of visitors, not only from Pico Island but also from other islands of the archipelago, creating an atmosphere of fellowship and sharing.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.4924937,-28.5291208
Coordinates DMS: 38°29'33.0"N 28°31'44.8"W
Weather Mirateca
On-duty Pharmacy Mirateca
