Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Açores > Horta > Flamengos
The Hermitage of São João is located in the parish of Flamengos, a locality within the municipality of Horta, on the island of Faial, in the Azores archipelago. Its position is historically linked to the route of ancient popular pilgrimages that headed to the Caldeira, suggesting surroundings that combine proximity to the local community with a connection to the broader natural landscape. It is a landmark in the area, easily identifiable next to Largo Jaime Melo, where people usually gather.
This small temple has its roots in a strong popular tradition of Faial island: the pilgrimage in honor of Saint John. Annually, this pilgrimage went to the Caldeira, and it was the devotion and the desire to have a place of worship closer to the passage and meeting point that led to the idealization and construction of a hermitage dedicated to this saint. The Hermitage of São João was thus born from the faith and commitment of the local community, reflecting the centrality of the saint's figure in Faialense celebrations.
The construction of the hermitage was a process that spanned over two decades, marked by the persistence of several figures. Mr. Manuel da Silveira Brum, a local landowner, was one of the great promoters, assuming a substantial part of the responsibility for the work. Father João Goulart Cardoso, then vicar of Flamengos, also played a crucial role in the project. The first stone was laid on June 24, 1921, in an act that symbolized the beginning of a lengthy work that faced interruptions and was only resumed thanks to a generous contribution from José Rodrigues de Amaral. Finally, on June 24, 1944, the hermitage was blessed, and the first mass was celebrated there, consecrating this space to devotion and worship.
Since its completion, the Hermitage of São João has become a gathering point for the annual Saint John celebrations, which take place on June 23 and 24. It is a place that continues to bring generations together, perpetuating the tradition of festivities that, in other times, included picnics and social gatherings near the temple. Today, the hermitage remains a symbol of the faith and resilience of the Flamengos community, a space where history and tradition meet and are shared by those who visit it or participate in its popular festivities.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.561761,-28.6621107
Coordinates DMS: 38°33'42.3"N 28°39'43.6"W
Weather Flamengos
On-duty Pharmacy Flamengos
