Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Beja > Beja > Beringel
The Hermitage of São Sebastião, now in a state of ruin, is located in the village of Beringel, which is part of the municipality of Beja. It is situated in a position traditionally chosen for this type of temple, usually a little distant from the denser center of the settlement.
A visit to this site offers a perspective on the surrounding area of the village and provides a tranquil spot for those seeking a moment of pause while exploring the Alentejo.
Dedicated to Saint Sebastian, this hermitage is part of the tradition of building temples in honor of this saint outside the town walls. Saint Sebastian was considered the protector against the plague and other epidemics, and the construction of these hermitages at the limits of settlements had a symbolic and practical purpose of defense against the spread of diseases.
Although in ruins, the site testifies to the historical and religious importance it held over the centuries for the community of Beringel, reflecting beliefs and concerns of past times.
Of the original building, parts of the walls remain, which help to outline the plan and dimensions that the hermitage once possessed. Its ruined state invites observation of the vestiges of the old construction and imagination of its complete form and the atmosphere that would have existed there in times when it was intact and in regular use.
The masonry structures that have withstood time allow a glimpse of the basic architectural design of the small rural temple. It is a place that speaks of the passage of centuries and the resilience of heritage, even when it appears stripped of its original glory.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.0563791,-7.9948536
Coordinates DMS: 38°03'23.0"N 07°59'41.5"W
Weather Beringel
On-duty Pharmacy Beringel
