Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Faro > Lagos > Lagos > Cerro das Mós
The chapel is located in the Cerro das Mós area, in Lagos, near the Ribeira de Bensafrim. This area combines urban characteristics with a tranquil setting, close to small watercourses and residential areas. Its position in the city allows for an understanding of the religious building's integration into an evolving urban context, without significant heavy traffic interference, providing a calm environment for visitors.
Its proximity to the river provides a discreet landscape dimension, marked by natural elements coexisting with historical architecture, creating a space that invites contemplation and observation of the relationship between built heritage and the surrounding environment.
The hermitage has medieval roots, with documented references dating back to the 14th century. The original construction was altered over the centuries, especially in the 16th century, when it underwent renovations that gave it Renaissance characteristics. The building suffered significant damage during the 1755 earthquake, being rebuilt in the early 19th century, which shaped its current configuration.
Historically, the chapel was a site for pilgrimages and religious events until the 20th century. Subsequently, it suffered some abandonment and adaptations for other uses, such as dwellings in annexes and informal gathering spaces, but maintained its value as a historical and architectural testament to the city.
It is a small building composed of a nave and chancel, with a simple floor plan and without a harmonious articulation between its parts, reflecting successive alterations. The chancel stands out as a relevant example of Renaissance architecture in the Algarve, evident in its structure and decorative elements.
Inside, the main altarpiece stands out for its Baroque style, with ornaments of twisted columns and vegetal motifs. Despite some elements showing degradation, the decoration still reveals the religious and artistic importance of the space. The water tanks and the waterwheel, frequently associated with the site, belong to the adjacent outdoor space, traditionally used for washing, and not to the interior of the chapel.
The building shows signs of interior wear, including damage to parts of the altarpiece and the Baroque door. Over the last few decades, some interventions have been carried out for the conservation and maintenance of the space, including the rehabilitation of the exterior area, with restored gardens and washing tanks, enhancing the connection between the chapel and the surrounding area.
Despite its local importance, the chapel does not have an official national heritage classification, which has constrained some of the options for its recovery. Rehabilitation proposals for new cultural uses were considered, but not all advanced, reflecting the complexity of heritage management in urban contexts.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_de_São_João_Batista_(Lagos)
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.111639,-8.680734
Coordinates DMS: 37°06'41.9"N 08°40'50.6"W
Weather Lagos
On-duty Pharmacy Lagos
