Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Évora > Reguengos de Monsaraz > Corval > Sítio do Santuário
This hermitage is located in the Sanctuary Site, an area that evokes its ancient importance as a place of devotion, in the peaceful village of Corval. Nestled in the vast Alentejo landscape of the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, it offers an environment of serenity and reflection, ideal for those seeking the calm and richness of local heritage.
The Hermitage of Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Peter has a history that probably dates back to the early 16th century, with the first documented mention dating from 1534. Over the centuries, the building underwent several transformations. After the 1755 earthquake, which significantly damaged the facade, the hermitage underwent a major reconstruction in the 18th century, when it gained the imposing bell tower that can be seen today.
This place was, for a long time, an important pilgrimage and worship site. As early as 1681, it attracted faithful from the region for celebrations dedicated to the patron saint, and in the 18th century, it was the scene of large annual pilgrimages, bearing witness to the profound faith and popular tradition of the community.
With its rectangular plan, the hermitage consists of a single nave, divided into five sections, and a square-shaped chancel, flanked by two collateral altars. On the exterior, the main facade stands out with its straight-framed portal, complemented, on the right side, by a large bell tower, one of the most notable elements of the 18th-century reconstruction.
The chancel features a Manueline-Mudéjar style, noteworthy for its ceiling with a central boss displaying the emblem of Saint Peter and the symbol of the Cross of Christ. This chancel is particularly interesting on the exterior, crowned by four cylindrical towers topped with merlons. Inside, the space is covered by a vault and reveals two collateral chapels: one with a Tuscan colonnade, dedicated to Christ Crucified, and another with arches, consecrated to Our Lady of the Rosary. In the 1990s, 16th-century frescoes were also discovered on the chancel walls, adding significant artistic and historical value.
Since June 15, 2010, the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Rosary / Hermitage of Saint Peter has been classified as a Monument of Public Interest, a recognition of its patrimonial and historical importance in the context of Alentejo and the country. This classification underscores the architectural, cultural, and artistic value of the building, inviting its discovery and preservation.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.4438375,-7.4647031
Coordinates DMS: 38°26'37.8"N 07°27'52.9"W
Weather Corval
On-duty Pharmacy Corval
