Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage
District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > Castelo de Vide > Penha
The Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Penha is isolated on the top of the mountain of the same name, a short distance from the centre of Castelo de Vide. Its elevated position offers a wide view over the town and its historic castle. Access to the hermitage is via a stairway that winds up the slope, flanked by walls, providing a gradual ascent to the top.
Situated in the Penha area, the hermitage benefits from a serene natural setting. The site is part of the Serra de São Mamede Protected Area, set within a rural landscape marked by the characteristic vegetation of this Alentejo region. The paved and walled churchyard in front of the hermitage constitutes a privileged spot for contemplating the surrounding landscape.
The construction of the Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Penha dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, serving as a testament to the religious architecture erected at that time. Its building on the mountaintop, in an isolated location, suggests a connection to traditions of worship and devotion linked to the landscape and the temple's visibility from the town.
Over the centuries, the building underwent some alterations and additions, such as the construction of the cruzeiro (stone cross) in the churchyard at the beginning of the 20th century, dated 1901. It maintains, however, its original function as a place of religious worship.
The hermitage presents a plan that articulates different volumes: a trapezoidal nave, a circular chancel, and a rectangular sacristy, resulting in an L-shaped layout. The main facade, facing the landscape, is topped by a triangular gable.
On the main facade, the entrance portal stands out with its curved lintel and granite mouldings. Above it, there is a quatrefoil-shaped oculus and a small tile panel depicting the image of Nossa Senhora da Penha. A granite cross, with lobed arms, crowns the apex of the gable.
Inside, the nave is covered by a barrel vault. The floor is covered with traditional brick tiles. A notable detail is the skirting board that runs along the walls, decorated with blue and white tiles arranged in a diamond or checkerboard pattern. On one side of the nave, it can be observed how the tile skirting board is interrupted by the presence of natural rock.
The circular chancel is slightly elevated in relation to the nave and is covered by a dome. Its interior is particularly rich, as walls and dome are entirely covered with patterned tiles featuring blue and yellow motifs, possibly dating from the 17th century. The triumphal arch, perfectly rounded and resting on plain pilasters, separates the nave from the chancel and is closed by a wrought-iron gate. The main altarpiece, built in masonry, has a concave shape and includes a central niche where the main image is located. In its attic, a medallion features a painting depicting the chapel itself.
In the small paved churchyard in front of the hermitage, there are elements that complement the religious space. A cruzeiro (stone cross), built at the beginning of the 20th century, features an inscription engraved at its base. Beside it, a water fountain invites a moment of pause. This entire space is delimited by walls, providing a secluded atmosphere suitable for a place of pilgrimage and contemplation.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.410524932792676, -7.464974215785204
Coordinates DMS: 39°24'37.9"N 07°27'53.9"W
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