Chapel of Saint Dominic

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > São Roque do Pico > Cais do Pico

Location

The Hermitage of São Domingos is located on Pico Island, Azores, within the municipality of São Roque do Pico. It is found in the locality of Cais do Pico, more precisely in the tranquil area of Santo António, known as Lugar das Almas, in the parish of Santa Luzia. This setting provides the site with an atmosphere of serenity, with the natural landscape and the proximity of the sea contributing to its surrounding beauty and an environment conducive to contemplation.

Memory and Restoration

The history of the Hermitage of São Domingos has deep roots, with its existence documented since 1670. On this date, a will by Domingos Nunes da Costa bound his son, who was a priest, to celebrate masses at this location, giving it an early religious function and strong family ties.

Over the centuries, the hermitage faced challenges, such as an imminent risk of collapse around 1922, which led the heirs to collect its contents, including the gilded altarpiece and the image of the patron saint. However, in 1986, the hermitage benefited from meticulous restoration work, which aimed to recover its original design, including the unique bell tower. Later, in 1996, new maintenance works were carried out, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Artistic Heritage and Environment

Despite the historical vicissitudes that led to the temporary relocation of its contents, the Hermitage of São Domingos preserves pieces of artistic and symbolic value. Among them, the images of Saint Philip Neri and Saint Thomas stand out. Additionally, its interior houses two notable paintings, dated 1782 and worked with gold thread, which represent Saint Dominic and Saint Vincent. These pieces, which had been removed, were generously donated back to the hermitage by the heirs in 1982, thus recovering part of its original collection.

The care taken in its recovery allowed the hermitage to maintain an authentic and contemplative environment. The presence of its original bell tower, restored to its primitive design, and the simplicity of its interior composition contribute to an atmosphere of tranquility, ideal for reflection or for enjoying the surrounding landscape.

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