Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Lisboa > Sintra > Camarões > Casal do Freixo
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Sick is located in the serene locality of Camarões, specifically in the Casal do Freixo area, in the municipality of Sintra. It is situated in an environment that, although integrated into a residential area, maintains a certain seclusion, reflecting its origin as a hermitage inserted into what was, historically, a private property.
The history of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Sick delves into distant times, with its construction likely dating back to the 15th century, although exact records are scarce. Its existence is confirmed in 17th-century documents, such as "Santuário Mariano" by Frei Agostinho de Santa Maria, which attest to its antiquity and the profound devotion that surrounded it at the time.
The origin of the cult of Our Lady of the Sick is linked to a popular tradition that narrates the miraculous appearance of the Virgin's image on a pine tree trunk, at the site where the chapel was erected. According to legend, the image manifested its will to remain there, even when transported to the neighboring parish, always returning to its place of apparition. This persistence led to the construction of the chapel on its current site.
For centuries, public access to this chapel was restricted, as it was located on private property. This situation was finally resolved in 1846, through a deed that formalized the public's right to use it on two specific days of the year, linked to its annual pilgrimage.
This small hermitage, of simple design, holds elements of remarkable artistic value within its interior. Its walls are covered with tile panels attributed to the Fábrica do Rato, likely dating between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. These tiles, although unsigned, contribute to the beauty and authenticity of the space, giving it a unique atmosphere.
The central image of the chapel, Our Lady of the Sick, is a small wooden sculpture, revealing great antiquity and dignity. It depicts the Virgin with the Child Jesus on her lap, and both figures are adorned with silver crowns and silk or fabric garments, placed over the original sculpture, highlighting the profound veneration of the faithful for this figure.
For centuries, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Sick has been the epicenter of an intense popular faith. The title "of the Sick" itself reflects the deep belief in her protection and the healing of ailments, attracting many devotees over time. This devotion is particularly visible in the pilgrimage that is celebrated annually in the first week of October, one of the most traditional religious events in the municipality of Sintra.
A unique aspect of this pilgrimage is the procession of the "silver carriage," an ancient ox-drawn carriage that, in times past, transported the symbols of Our Lady from the church of Almargem do Bispo to the hermitage. This ritual, although now more symbolic and adapted to modern times, maintains its authenticity and profound meaning for the local community, which continues to keep this secular tradition alive.
The very name of the locality of Camarões has a curious cultural link to the devotion to Our Lady of the Sick. Some theories suggest that the name may be related to a health condition that affected the inhabitants in the past, giving them a particular complexion. This reality may have intensified devotion to the Virgin as a protector of those suffering from illnesses, thus justifying the chapel's name.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.8251025,-9.2348793
Coordinates DMS: 38°49'30.4"N 09°14'5.6"W
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