Empire of the Holy Spirit of Quatro Ribeiras

Category: Religious Architecture > Empire

District: Açores > Praia da Vitória > Quatro Ribeiras > Canada Da Vista

Location

The Império do Espírito Santo de Quatro Ribeiras is located in the town of Quatro Ribeiras, integrated into the area known as Canada Da Vista, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória. It is situated in the main square of the village, next to the parish church.

The building stands in an elevated position, accessible by stairs, and is set within a spacious area paved with cobblestones. The surroundings adapt to the terrain's slope and feature a fountain, a calvary, and resting areas with benches under trees.

Architectural Features

This Império features a simple rectangular structure with a gabled roof. The walls are plastered and painted white, contrasting with the structural and decorative elements painted in vibrant blue and yellow. This polychromy gives it a popular appearance very characteristic of the Azores.

The main facade is topped by a gable with a trilobed shape, upon which rests the crown of the Holy Spirit. The entrance is via a central portal flanked by sill windows, all featuring elegant trilobed arches. Pilasters painted yellow mark the division of spaces. The gable displays cartouches decorated with vegetal elements, also in blue and yellow, including a central circular rosette. An oval cartouche on the main facade's back panel displays its construction date, 1885.

The side facades follow a similar scheme, with trilobed arched windows, though in different numbers on each side. The rear facade is topped with a gable and features a round oculus with a blue-painted frame.

History and Significance

The Império do Espírito Santo de Quatro Ribeiras, dating from the 19th century (specifically 1885), is a central element of the profound devotion to the Divine Holy Spirit that marks Azorean culture. Buildings like this serve as meeting points and headquarters for the local brotherhoods responsible for the annual festivities.

Traditionally, it is in these Impérios that the sacred symbols, the crown, the scepter, and the flag, are kept, and where ceremonies for the distribution of bread and meat to the community, gestures of sharing and solidarity, take place. The Império de Quatro Ribeiras maintains its religious use, perpetuating a tradition with strong social and cultural roots on Terceira Island.

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