Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Beja > Odemira > Odemira > Bairro do Símplicio
The Ermida de Santa Maria, also known as the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, is located in the town of Odemira, in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
The hermitage is a religious monument in ruins, probably built in the Middle Ages. Currently, only the arch of the narthex survives.
The hermitage was known for its connection to miracles attributed to the Virgin Mary, becoming an important pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
The place where the hermitage is located may have been a pre-Christian religious center, adding an ancient spiritual significance to the site.
Due to its proximity to the Mira River, the hermitage was frequently damaged by floods. However, a legend says that the waters never surpassed the height of the altar and did not submerge the image of Nossa Senhora da Piedade.
In the 17th century, the hermitage changed its dedication, becoming patron Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Piety).
Due to the frequent floods, the hermitage was replaced by a new sanctuary built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in a higher and safer location.
The transfer of the hermitage faced some resistance from the local population.
With the construction of the Santa Clara Dam, the floods at the hermitage site were avoided, contributing to the preservation of the new temple.
Currently, the original building of the hermitage has almost completely disappeared, with only a few visible traces remaining.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermida_de_Santa_Maria_(Odemira)
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.5961658,-8.6468029
Coordinates DMS: 37°35'46.2"N 08°38'48.5"W
Weather Odemira
On-duty Pharmacy Odemira
