Secorio Chapel Our Lady of Deliverance

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Santarém > Moçarria > Secorio

Location

The Chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance stands serenely in the Secório urbanization, part of the peaceful locality of Moçarria, in the municipality of Santarém. Set in a predominantly rural landscape, the chapel is situated on a plateau that stands out in relation to the hill where the village of Pernes developed, offering a unique perspective on the left bank of the Alviela river. Its elevated position gives it an atmosphere of contemplation, surrounded by the characteristic landscape of the region.

History and Memory

The origins of the Chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance date back, conjecturally, to the 16th to 18th centuries. Records suggest its construction, around 1550, by an individual who is said to have returned from India, allegedly bringing with him the image of the patron saint. Over the centuries, the building underwent reconstruction and adaptation interventions, with the side walls being raised and the nave space extended through the integration of an old porch. A notable detail inside is the base of the pulpit, which displays the inscription of the date of October 12, 1711, bearing witness to its long history and evolution.

Architecture and Environment

With a religious architecture of simple but expressive design, the chapel features a main facade facing west, highlighted by a triangular pediment and a small bell tower. Its robust walls, made of stone and brick masonry plastered white, contrast with the stonework elements that frame doors and windows. The interior, although unified in a single space, reveals particularities such as the wooden ceiling. On the side walls, currently sealed arches frame recent mural paintings depicting the pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Deliverance, connecting the chapel to popular devotion. The pulpit, with its wooden balustrade and stone base, and the wooden altarpiece, with twisted columns and the image of the patron saint, complete the atmosphere of worship and reflection of this place with a remarkable past.

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