Hermitage of Our Lady of Sorrows

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Bragança > Carrazeda de Ansiães > Arnal

Location:

The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows is located in the place of Arnal, nestled in the municipality of Carrazeda de Ansiães, in the district of Bragança. It stands on top of an isolated hill, providing an environment of tranquility and a vast view over the surrounding rural landscape. The main access is facilitated by a wide stone staircase leading to the temple's portal, integrated into the platform that embraces the chapel. The entire complex is surrounded by a masonry wall and flanked by trees, contributing to a serene and inviting atmosphere.

Next to the chapel, there is a square with several stone tables and benches, which serve to support visitors and pilgrims, allowing them to enjoy the environment and the surrounding scenery. Its implantation on the top of the elevation gives it a privileged observation point of the region, making the arrival a journey that culminates in a broad perspective.

Historical and Architectural Route:

The origins of the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows probably date back to the 16th century, as a chapel driven by the local population. However, the structure we observe today is the result of significant reforms over the centuries, especially in the 17th century, which gave it its current configuration, transforming it into a pilgrimage site. Over the years, it has been adapted and enlarged, with interventions in the 19th and 20th centuries that, for example, led to the closing of an old porch, incorporating it into the building.

Architecturally, the chapel has a simple rectangular plan, composed of a nave and a chancel, the latter being narrower. The facades are mostly plastered and painted white, with granite ashlar cornerstones standing out, crowned by pyramidal pinnacles. The main facade, facing northwest, is marked by a straight lintel portal and a polylobed oculus, finished by a pediment that rises into a bell tower, where a Latin cross rests, elements that lend it a singular dignity.

The Interior and Sacred Art:

Upon entering the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, the visitor is greeted by an interior marked by the simplicity of white walls, which contrasts with the richness of its chancel. The latter features a ceiling of carved and painted coffers, a detail that lends a touch of nobility to the space. The central element is the main altarpiece, a 17th-century piece of gilded and polychrome carving.

This altarpiece, with a straight body and three axes, integrates niches, the central one being concave and the lateral ones with perfect round arches, adorned with acanthus friezes and interiors painted blue, housing the sacred imagery. The columns and pilasters of the altarpiece are richly decorated with acanthus leaves and cherubs, reflecting the artistic mastery of the time and conferring upon the space an atmosphere of profound devotion and beauty.

A Sanctuary of Devotion and Tradition:

The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows has long been an important center of pilgrimage and devotion in the region. Historical references, such as the Parish Memoirs of 1758, already noted its importance as a destination for pilgrims, especially during the summer months. This tradition remains alive, with the patron saint's festival celebrated annually on September 8th, attracting faithful and visitors seeking a moment of faith and contemplation.

In the chapel's square, there is a fountain that, according to popular tradition, possesses miraculous properties. The fountain's pillar bears inscriptions marking festival committees and intervention dates, such as "1799 ?" and "2000", testifying to its continued relevance for the community. Recently, the sanctuary has been enriched with the inauguration of a life-size Via Sacra, with 14 stations, by local artist Paulo Moura, which invites reflection and appreciation of open-air religious art.

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