Hermitage of São Pedro da Ribeira

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Évora > Montemor-o-Novo > Rebola > Monte da Rebola

Location

Situated in the locality of Rebola, municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, the Hermitage of São Pedro da Ribeira is found in a tranquil and somewhat isolated environment. Its position is striking, on a plain, near the foot of the escarpment where the village castle stands, and a few meters from the south bank of the Almansor River. This setting gives the place a serene backdrop, characteristic of the Alentejo landscape.

History and Architecture

The history of the Hermitage of São Pedro da Ribeira is ancient, with a foundation that some records suggest dates back to the 13th century, although the elements visible today belong to later phases. The building was significantly reconstructed during the Manueline period, in the early 16th century, when it became the seat of the Brotherhood of the Faithful of God. From this phase, the chancel vault stands out, with its intricate carved keystones.

Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the hermitage was reformulated, acquiring the appearance we know today, characteristic of what is called "plain architecture" (arquitetura chã). Its longitudinal plan is composed of a rectangular narthex, a rectangular nave, and an apse of a roughly square shape. The main facade, facing west, features a narthex with a central portico and side windows, both with round arches, above which a bell tower rises. Inside, the nave has a barrel vault ceiling, while the apse is topped by a poly-ribbed cross-vault.

The Mural Paintings: An Interior Treasure

The great treasure of the Hermitage of São Pedro da Ribeira lies in the remarkable set of mural paintings that adorn its interior, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. On the back wall of the chancel, there is a late-Gothic composition representing Saint Peter enthroned. This painting includes an unusual and particularly interesting element: the figure of an elephant, which, despite its erudite origin, presents a naive and popular execution, giving it a unique character.

In the nave, near the chancel arch, one can observe Baroque mural paintings addressing Christological themes. The triumphal arch, in turn, displays mural paintings with grotesque motifs, framing figures such as God the Father and the Annunciation, datable to the early 17th century. The side walls of the chancel also feature murals illustrating scenes from the life of the patron saint, probably executed by the same artistic workshop.

A Classified Monument

The Hermitage of São Pedro da Ribeira is recognized for its historical and artistic relevance, having been classified as a Monument of Public Interest since 2014. Currently, the space has no designation and is not open for regular visits.

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