Chapel of Saint Amaro

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Madeira > Santa Cruz > Santa Cruz > S. Sebastião

Location

The Chapel of Santo Amaro is located in the S. Sebastião area, in the town of Santa Cruz, within the municipality of the same name, on the island of Madeira. Its discreet positioning within the urban fabric offers a point of interest that invites the discovery of local heritage.

Historical Memory

The history of this chapel dates back to the early 16th century, the period when it was first erected. Over the centuries, the temple underwent transformations, undergoing a significant reconstruction in the early years of the 20th century. From its original construction, only the portal remains, crafted from regional hard stonework, distinguished by its simplicity, with a single colonette and an archivolt.

Devotion and the Sea

Santo Amaro is the patron saint of navigators and the sea, and his connection to the Santa Cruz community is profound. Historically, local fishermen directed their prayers to Santo Amaro in times of fish scarcity or facing imminent storms, seeking protection. The devotion also extended to the villagers, who invoked the saint when faced with the risk of floods in the streams. It was precisely this strong faith and the search for a protector against turbulent waters that propelled the chapel's construction.

Artistic Details

Inside the chapel, the main altarpiece stands out, in a style that transitions between late Baroque and early Neoclassical. It is tripartite, in white and gold tones, with a central niche framed by pilasters and topped by an interrupted curved pediment, likely dating from the early 20th century. The niche holds the image of Santo Amaro himself, a piece believed to be from the 18th century, characterized by a gilded and upholstered figure, protected by a glass door.

The Patron Saint's Festivities

Annually, on January 15th, the Chapel of Santo Amaro becomes the center of celebrations in honor of its patron saint. This date holds special significance for the community, as it also marks the traditional closing of the Christmas season, bringing together faith and tradition in a festivity that marks the local calendar.

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