Chapel of Our Lady of Health / Chapel of the Negrita Estate / Chapel of Our Lady of Faith

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Beja > Moura > Santo Aleixo da Restauração > Monte da Ermida

Location

Situated in the heart of the Alentejo region, this hermitage stands on Monte da Ermida, a vantage point offering a unique perspective of the characteristic landscape of Moura and Santo Aleixo da Restauração, in the district of Beja. Its surroundings are marked by the vastness of the Alentejo plain, with its golden fields, cork and holm oak woodlands, and the serenity that defines this southern region of Portugal.

The location, nestled within a rural and tranquil environment, invites contemplation and enjoyment of the quietude of Alentejo nature, far from the hustle and bustle of large urban centers. The presence of the hermitage on this mount confers upon it an aura of peaceful isolation and a deep connection with the land.

Architecture and Environment

The hermitage, of modest dimensions and sober lines, reflects the rural religious architecture that dots the Alentejo landscape. It is characterized by its structural simplicity and the use of traditional materials that integrate it harmoniously into the surrounding environment. Its facade, devoid of excessive ornamentation, accentuates the authenticity and functionality that were paramount for this type of rural place of worship.

Inside, the space, though not grand, invites introspection and devotion. The light entering through the few openings illuminates an atmosphere that inspires recollection, bearing witness to centuries of faith and local traditions. The hermitage represents the perseverance of belief and the importance of sacred sites in the daily lives of the populations who inhabited and worked these vast lands.

Denominations and Significance

The different names by which the hermitage is known, Nossa Senhora da Saúde, Herdade da Negrita, and Nossa Senhora da Fé, tell a part of its history and its deep connection to the community. The title of Nossa Senhora da Saúde (Our Lady of Health) points to a tradition of seeking divine healing and protection, a common aspect in Alentejo popular devotion, which saw these places as spiritual refuges.

The denomination Nossa Senhora da Fé (Our Lady of Faith) underscores the site's role as a center of belief and hope, while the reference to Herdade da Negrita suggests its integration into a specific rural property, a common aspect for these small chapels that served scattered populations across the large estates of Alentejo. These names, in themselves, evoke the space's profound connection to the life and spiritual needs of the local people over time.

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