Our Lady of Deliverance Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Cascais > Livramento > Cascais e Estoril

Location

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Livramento is located in the town of Livramento, an area integrated into the vast urbanization of Cascais and Estoril. It sits in a square that, despite its modern surroundings, preserves the atmosphere of an older settlement. It is a quiet spot that invites a moment to observe the local architecture and history.

A Brief Journey Through Time

This place of worship has its roots in the 17th century, when it was originally erected as a hermitage. Its history is indelibly marked by the Earthquake of 1755, an event that led to a significant reconstruction of the chapel, completed in 1757, a date still engraved on its facade. For several centuries, the Chapel of Livramento was associated with the historic Quinta da Samarra, a connection that lasted until the 1970s, when it was subsequently donated to the Patriarchate of Lisbon. Inside, a detail that evokes its long history is the presence of an ancient tomb, dating back to 1629.

Architecture and Details

The chapel exhibits architecture in the Baroque style, notable for its sobriety. The main facade, with a pediment shape, is defined by a lintel portal, topped by a cornice that connects to an upper window through a plaque. The portal is flanked by two simple-lined windows. A particularity of the chapel is the external staircase, located on the left side of the facade, which allows access to the upper choir. To the right, a small bell tower completes the exterior ensemble. The interior, with a single nave, houses an upper choir with a 19th-century balustrade. The pulpit, made of wood, surprises with its imitation stone, and the walls are decorated with paintings that simulate marble. In the chancel, the painted wooden altar is enhanced by a golden reredos. The central niche houses the image of the Virgin and Child, flanked by the figures of Saint Sebastian and Saint Joseph. On the side walls, on corbels, are the images of Saint Anthony and Our Lady of Fátima. The floor, covered with stone slabs, contributes to the unique atmosphere of the space.

Exterior Elements

Facing the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, there are two elements that complement its historical and cultural importance. A crucifix, a common religious symbol in Portuguese landscapes, stands in front of the entrance. Next to it is a fountain, dating from 1929, which integrated a well. This fountain once played a fundamental role in supplying water to the local population, illustrating the daily life of the Livramento community over time. These elements, together with the chapel, form a complex that allows for an understanding of the history and way of life in this area of Cascais.

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