Hermitage of Saint Stephen

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Beja > Beja > Beja > Largo dos Prazeres

Location

The Hermitage of Santo Estevão is located in Largo dos Prazeres, in the city of Beja. Its position is historical, situated near one of the old city entrances, opened in the wall between the late 16th and 17th centuries. This location grants it a particular integration into the urban fabric, marking a point of interest near the town's oldest boundary.

Memory and History

This place has a history dating back to the late 13th century, when it was founded as a space to house the remains of the knight Estêvão Vasques. The structure observed today, however, is the result of a more recent construction, completed in the 17th century. Over the centuries, the hermitage served different purposes, even functioning as a granary in 1915, before being rededicated to religious worship in 1940.

Architectural and Artistic Elements

The Hermitage of Santo Estevão displays architectural characteristics of Portuguese Mannerism, typical of the 17th century. The interior of the hermitage is notable for its expressive scenography, conceived in the spirit of the Baroque. A vast decorative project was initiated around 1680, lasting for almost two decades. This artistic intervention integrates various elements, such as tilework, painting, and sculpture, which contribute to the visual and symbolic richness of the space.

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