Hermitage of Saint Mark

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Vila Viçosa > Azenha Cimeira > Pardais

Location

The Chapel of São Marcos is located in the Pardais area, an integral part of the village of Azenha Cimeira, in the municipality of Vila Viçosa. This chapel stands out in the center of the urban cluster, rising on uneven terrain that follows the local topography. The main access to the chapel is via a staircase, which conforms to the slope of the terrain, inviting approach.

Tradition and Architecture

Dedicated to Saint Mark, this chapel has deep roots in the 17th century, the period when its original edifice is presumed to have been built, according to records pointing to the year 1616. Its construction reflects a religious style of vernacular and baroque character, typical of the era, with a plan that integrates a single nave and a chancel, covered by a gable roof.

The main facade features a straight lintel portal, framed and topped by a cornice, flanked by rectangular windows that provide balance. Inside, the main altar stands out, crafted in carved wood, an element that enriches the devotional space and invites contemplation of its artistic and spiritual heritage.

A Resilient Past

Over the centuries, the Chapel of São Marcos has witnessed a journey marked by moments of great challenge and recovery. Initially established as a place of worship for a wealthy family in the early 18th century, its history is punctuated by periods of degradation. Historical documents reveal its almost total ruin in the mid-same century, worsened by the effects of the 1755 earthquake.

Despite these adversities, the chapel demonstrated remarkable resilience. Through various petitions and transfers of ownership, including a period under the administration of the Third Order of Saint Francis, the building was subject to restoration efforts, culminating in its return to the possession of the local parish at the end of the 18th century. This trajectory attributes to the chapel a value that goes beyond its physical structure, reflecting the persistence of faith and community over time.

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