Hermitage of Saint Sebastian and Saint Lucy

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Peniche > Geraldes > Atouguia da Baleia

Location

The Hermitage of Saint Sebastian and Saint Lucy is located in the village of Geraldes, integrated into the union of parishes of Atouguia da Baleia, in the municipality of Peniche. This site, although situated in an urban environment, benefits from a prominent location next to the main road. Its position is enhanced by a plinth that follows the natural slope of the terrain, giving it a remarkable presence amidst the surrounding houses, and integrating harmoniously into the landscape of the small village of Geraldes.

History and Purpose

The construction of this hermitage dates back to the 17th century. Its construction was guided by the Recollect friars of the Convent of São Bernardino, a prominent neighbor in the region, and involved the joint contribution and effort of the local residents. Initially conceived as a space dedicated to religious worship, the Hermitage of Saint Sebastian and Saint Lucy currently fulfills a dual function: in addition to remaining a place of prayer, it also serves as a mortuary chapel, maintaining its relevance for the local community.

Architecture and its Details

The hermitage features a longitudinal plan, characterized by its single nave, chancel, and sacristy. The roof is gabled, extending slightly over the sacristy. The main facade, facing south, stands out with its stepped plinth and a triangular gable top, where, on the left side, a simple bell tower rises.

On the frontispiece, the door is flanked by two notable 17th-century polychrome tile panels. These panels depict the hermitage's patron saints: Saint Lucy, composed of forty tiles, and Saint Sebastian, with thirty tiles, offering an important example of the tile art of the period. Inside, both the nave and the chancel have brick flooring and two-plane wooden ceilings, intersected by visible beams. A wainscot of blue and white tiles, with loose pieces and patterned ones, lines the nave walls, extending up the steps leading to the triumphal arch. In the chancel, the main altar draws attention with its columns featuring spiraled shafts, adorned with foliage and animal motifs, culminating in a niche covered by embroidered linen fabric, details that enrich the devotional atmosphere of the space.

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