Hermitage of Our Lady of the Reservoir

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Beja > Cuba > Vila Ruiva

Location:

Situated in the tranquil rural landscape of Vila Ruiva, in the municipality of Cuba, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Represa is located approximately two kilometers from the village. It is an isolated complex, marked by a walled enclosure that rises on a platform, and includes a calvary in front of it, giving the space a distinct and inviting atmosphere for contemplation.

The chapel's name is intimately linked to its proximity to the remains of an ancient dam, known as "represa," which dates back to the Roman occupation of this area. This connection to an ancestral hydraulic work lends the site a particular symbolism and a deep connection to the region's millennial history.

A Look at Its History:

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Represa, classified as a Monument of Public Interest, boasts a rich and multifaceted history. Originally known as the Chapel of São Caetano, it was once a center of great regional devotion and pilgrimage. In the 18th century, the image of São Caetano came to be venerated as one of the most miraculous in the entire Portuguese kingdom.

Over time, the devotion of the faithful transformed, and the cult of São Caetano gave way to the veneration of Nossa Senhora da Represa, giving the temple its current name and keeping its religious importance alive for the community.

Architecture and Its Features:

Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, the chapel presents an interesting fusion of architectural styles, namely Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque, which bear witness to the different phases of its construction and renovation. Of particular interest is the Mudéjar influence visible on the façade, with buttresses at the corners topped by merlons and pyramidal spires, elements that are repeated in the middle of the pediments.

The single-nave building has a distinct structure, with a narrower chancel and an attached sacristy. Its exterior simplicity contrasts with the artistic richness it holds within.

Artistic Treasures of the Interior:

Inside the chapel, visitors are surprised by a remarkable artistic heritage. The nave is covered by a ribbed vault, notable for its 17th-century mural paintings. These paintings include grotesque elements, figures of putti and musician angels, as well as central medallions representing Marian symbols and a scene of the Adoration of the Child. A peculiar detail to observe on the vault's ribs is the depiction of a cat catching a mouse, highlighting the meticulousness and originality of the decoration.

The walls of the nave and sacristy are covered with carpet-patterned tiles, in shades of blue and yellow, also from the 17th century. The altar-front of the main altar deserves special attention, displaying a composition of birds and foliage with Luso-Oriental inspiration, a testament to the cultural diversity that characterized the era. The chancel, in turn, houses a gilded and polychrome altarpiece, dating from the 18th century, which complements the visual richness of the space.

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