Hermitage and Inn of Santa Marina / Hermitage and Inn of Nossa Senhora da Fonte Santa (ruins)

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Évora > Alandroal > Terena > Malhada Alta

Location

This ruined complex is located in a tranquil rural setting, situated halfway up the slope in the area known as Malhada Alta, near the locality of Terena, in the municipality of Alandroal. Its isolated position allows for enjoyment of the surrounding landscape.

The site is integrated into an area delimited by walls, with a small churchyard in front of the hermitage's main facade. Nearby, the landscape stretches across the valley, where the Ribeira de Lucefece flows, and it is possible to spot some old mills in the surrounding area. A calvary cross also marks the access path to the site.

Architecture and Historical Function

The complex is formed by the hermitage and an annexed building that functioned as an inn, with their constructions primarily dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Although in a state of ruin, it is still possible to observe the architectural features that reveal late Baroque and Rococo styles.

The hermitage has a simple, rectangular plan, with a nave and chancel. Its main facade, though modest, features elements such as a central portal, windows, and a triangular pediment topped by a bell tower. Inside, the nave was covered by a barrel vault and the pulpit displays painted decoration that created an interesting visual effect.

Accommodation and Sacred Water

The two-story inn building was constructed to support pilgrims who travelled to this location. The ground floor consisted of vaulted spaces, which served as stables and carriage houses for travellers' animals, while the upper floor offered lodging.

A central element associated with this site is the Fonte Santa (Holy Spring), a natural spring located adjacent to the hermitage, at a lower level. The spring, integrated into a niche with a tank, was a point of great devotion and significance for pilgrims, associated with beliefs of healing and purification.

Traces of Ancient Pilgrimages

Upon exploring the site, it is possible to discover vestiges that attest to its importance as a pilgrimage centre over the centuries. On the hermitage's facade, tombstones with ancient inscriptions stand out, recording donations and the community's effort to reconstruct the temple after events such as the 1755 earthquake.

This was a site of great pilgrimages, particularly popular until the early 20th century. The presence of a calvary cross in the vicinity reinforces the idea of the journey and the devotion of the faithful who came here seeking aid from the Fonte Santa or to venerate the images in the hermitage, of which today only memories and empty spaces remain.

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