Our Lady of the Mount Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Graça

Location

Located in the parish of São Vicente (Graça), on Monte de São Gens, in Lisbon.

Ancient History

The first hermitage was built in 1147, after the reconquest of Lisbon, and dedicated to Saint Gens of Lisbon, an ancient bishop of the city who was martyred in this place.

Legend of the Chair

Inside the hermitage, there was a stone chair that belonged to Saint Gens. Legend has it that pregnant women who sat on it had uncomplicated deliveries. Even the wife of D. João V, D. Maria Ana of Austria, used the chair during her pregnancy.

Destruction and Reconstruction

The 1755 earthquake destroyed the original hermitage. The current chapel was built in 1796, in a slightly higher location than the original, by the architect Honorato José Teixeira. The chair of Saint Gens was placed inside again.

Transfer of the Friars

In 1291, the Augustinian friars of Graça moved from this hermitage to the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Graça.

Viewpoint

Next to the chapel is the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, offering a stunning view over the São Jorge Castle and Baixa de Lisboa.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_de_Nossa_Senhora_do_Monte_(Lisboa)

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