Chapel of Mercy of Juromenha

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Évora > Alandroal > Juromenha

Location

Located in the charming village of Juromenha, in the municipality of Alandroal, the Chapel of Mercy is nestled in the heart of the ancient fortified town. Its position, accessible via what was once Rua Direita (Main Street), offers a unique perspective on the vast surrounding landscape. This site, though marked by the passage of time and its ruins, provides a captivating view and a deep sense of connection with the history of the place.

Historical and Architectural Legacy

This chapel dates back to the 17th century, having been originally built to house the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Juromenha, a brotherhood with religious and social characteristics. Although it now stands in ruins, its structure still allows for a glimpse of its original layout. The building featured a rectangular nave and a quadrangular chancel, with the exterior volumes mirroring the internal spaces.

Elements such as the main facade, where a simple doorway with stonework moldings can still be seen, and the remnants of the arches that once supported the vanished choir and the old side altars, tell the story of its 17th-century architecture. Its existence was severely shaken in 1659, when a violent gunpowder explosion damaged much of the structure. Despite subsequent reconstruction towards the end of the same century, the current remains bear witness to the resilience and the passage of time in this remarkable building.

A Look Inside

Inside the chapel, the visit reveals details that deepen the connection to the past and to the lives that once filled this space. On the floor of the old chancel, two tombs can be found. One of them displays an inscription indicating the date 1674, marking the resting place of a former scribe of the Misericórdia and his wife, highlighting the institution's importance in the life of the town. The main nave also houses two other tombs.

The stone masonry, which forms the basis of its construction, is a testament to the robustness and construction techniques of the era, allowing one to understand the original grandeur of the site and its resistance to the challenges of time.

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