Hermitage of Saint Catherine of Aviado

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Évora > Évora > Nossa Senhora da Graça do Divor > Quinta de Santa Catarina

Location

The Hermitage of Santa Catarina do Aviado is located in a peaceful rural area, integrated into the area known as Quinta de Santa Catarina. It is a short distance from the city of Évora, within the parish of Nossa Senhora da Graça do Divor.

The site is on a small elevation, offering a view over the vast Alentejo landscape that surrounds it. This setting is characterized by the presence of olive trees, cork oaks (montado), and cultivated fields, an isolated rural scenario that underscores the serene atmosphere of the hermitage.

16th-Century Architecture and Distinctive Elements

Dating from the 16th century, the hermitage exhibits architecture of great simplicity, characteristic of the small Alentejo pilgrimage chapels of the era. Its plan is rectangular and has a single nave.

On the exterior, the construction stands out due to the contrast between the white of the whitewashed walls and the rustic granite elements that mark the quoins and finishes. Originally, the main facade would have had a porch, which no longer exists, but whose supporting corbels are still visible above the entrance portal.

The Interior and the Vault

Upon entering the hermitage, one discovers a sober interior space, illuminated primarily by the doorway. The nave's ceiling is notable, made of a ribbed vault, constructed of brick.

This vault is divided into two bays and rests on sculpted granite corbels. Although simple, these corbels feature details reminiscent of the Manueline style, adding a decorative touch to the interior's austerity.

The Mural Paintings

The greatest treasure of the Hermitage of Santa Catarina do Aviado are its mural paintings. These decorations, applied directly onto the walls, also dating from the early 16th century, cover the interior and are considered among the oldest still existing in the Évora district.

The mural paintings are distributed across the back wall and the side walls. On the back wall, the high altarpiece is depicted, which includes a representation of Saint Catherine with angels in the lower part and, above, a scene of Calvary. On the side walls, there are representations of Saint Anthony with the Child Jesus and Saint James fighting the Moors. These works, despite their state of conservation showing some flaws, are an important testament to the art of Renaissance mural painting in the Alentejo and even contain traces of older, possibly medieval, layers of paint.

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