Museum of Sacred Art and Ethnography

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Açores > Lagoa > Ribeira Chã

Location:

Situated in the parish of Ribeira Chã, in the municipality of Lagoa, this museum is located on the upper floor of the Parish Social Centre building. The locality, with its tranquil and rural environment, is set on a hillside with a privileged view of the sea and surrounded by the lush green landscape typical of São Miguel island. Its discreet yet welcoming location invites a serene visit, ideal for those who appreciate places with a strong cultural identity.

The museum building integrates harmoniously into the heart of the parish, remaining close to the church and other community spaces. The urban surroundings are marked by traditional houses and well-kept gardens, in a close-knit environment where the pace of life unfolds to the rhythm of nature.

Origin and Founder

The museum was founded in the early 1980s by Father João Caetano Flores, a central figure in the parish's recent history. His dedication to the community is portrayed in a section of the museum that evokes his personal and spiritual journey, highlighting the role he played in valuing local heritage. The creation of this museological space stemmed from the desire to preserve the collective memory of Ribeira Chã and transmit to future generations the traditions and religious expressions that marked the parish's identity.

Sacred Art: Objects with History

Among the highlight pieces are religious images of great historical and artistic value. One example is the sculpture of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Our Lady of Help), in painted wood, dating from the 16th century, which is believed to have belonged to the parish's old hermitage. There is also a statue of Saint Joseph, from the 18th century, in Baroque style, originating from the Convent of Conceição in Ponta Delgada, and a sculpture of Saint Anthony, produced in a workshop in the city of Porto in 1908.

The exhibition also includes the recreation of the main altar of the old Church of São José, a tabernacle from 1902, a baptismal font from 1870, and a collection of wooden crosses crafted by a local artisan, representing deeply rooted faith practices within the community.

Portraits of Traditional Life

The ethnographic aspect of the museum reveals aspects of daily life from bygone times. One can observe the recreation of an old classroom, with period furniture and pedagogical materials, as well as traditional costumes and clay figures representing moments of community and religious life, such as the Cavalhadas of São Pedro da Ribeira Grande or the Romeiros of São Miguel.

A small section is also dedicated to the cult of the Holy Spirit, a central element of Azorean popular religiosity, and other cultural expressions such as the Foliões do Espírito Santo and the Procession of Senhor Santo Cristo.

Atmosphere and Surroundings

The museum's atmosphere is calm, intimate, and welcoming, reflecting the spirit of the parish in which it is located. The exhibition space, though modest, is carefully organized and provides a tranquil visit, with time to observe the details of the pieces and reflect on the ways of life represented.

The museum maintains a strong connection to the local community, not only through the pieces it exhibits but also through the way it preserves and shares the spiritual and cultural heritage of Ribeira Chã. It is a space where the past remains alive, not as a distant curiosity, but as an integral part of the place's identity.

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