Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Açores > Ponta Delgada > Ponta Delgada
The Hermitage of São Brás is located in the city of Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, Azores. It is situated on Rua Machado dos Santos, one of the historic and central streets of the city. This location allows visitors to easily incorporate it into a walking tour of the city center, observing the surrounding urban environment and its proximity to other points of interest in the old quarter of Ponta Delgada.
The history of the Hermitage of São Brás dates back to an older temple that initially stood next to the primitive fortress of Ponta Delgada. The current building, dating from 1584, the year inscribed above its main portal, was erected to replace this first hermitage, establishing itself on the old streets of Fonte Grande and Direita, now Rua Machado dos Santos. In addition to the devotion to Saint Blaise, the temple also honors Saint Lucy, featuring a chapel dedicated to this saint inside. Throughout the centuries, this hermitage maintained a notable connection with the ecclesiastical authorities of the time, being visited by bishops and their representatives.
On its exterior, the Hermitage of São Brás stands out for its facade, which features a unique architectural element: a bell tower that, due to its conformation, is considered a peculiar piece in the religious architecture of Ponta Delgada. The interior of the temple is characterized by a single nave, inviting quiet observation. Its classification as Immovable Cultural Heritage of Public Interest underscores the value and relevance of this construction to the city's historical and artistic legacy, making it a point of interest for those who appreciate Azorean cultural heritage.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermida_de_São_Brás_(Ponta_Delgada)
Coordinates DD: 37.74098436625894,-25.669673411669105
Coordinates DMS: 37°44'27.5"N 25°40'10.8"W