Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage
District: Santarém > Mação > Vale de Coelho
The Hermitage of Our Lady of Sorrows (Nossa Senhora do Pranto) is serenely and discreetly situated in the picturesque village of Vale de Coelho, a small and quiet corner in the municipality of Mação, part of the Santarém district. The site offers a calm and peaceful environment, inviting contemplation and enjoyment of the surrounding rural landscape, which provides a serene refuge for its visitors.
This hermitage, as it appears to visitors today, was erected in the year 1697. Its foundation is attributed to Pero Eanes, a notable figure who held the position of Prior of the Order of Christ, as attested by a plaque inscribed on its façade, which confirms its origin. The construction of the current chapel is linked to a local tradition dating back to an ancient chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, which was located about a kilometer north of the current site. Legend has it that this original church was destroyed by a cataclysm, but the statue of the Virgin miraculously remained intact, which led to the building of the new hermitage on the present site, at the initiative of the Morgado of Vale dos Francos.
The Hermitage of Our Lady of Sorrows is characterized by its simple architecture, devoid of grand ornamentation, reflecting its typology. It has a single nave, with a simple façade that houses a small belfry. The entrance portal is elegantly framed in an arch, and on the right side of the hermitage, an additional portal and a window stand out, breaking the uniformity of its walls. Inside, the chapel maintains its simplicity, with the altar being a highlight, carefully crafted in wood and enhanced with paint and gilding. The central element is the venerated statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, a stone sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child in her arms. This statue, due to its beauty and the deep devotion it inspires, is the main attraction of the site.
Throughout the centuries, the Hermitage of Our Lady of Sorrows has established itself as an important center of devotion, not only for the local community of Vale de Coelho but also for the visitors who seek it out. The statue of the Virgin is venerated throughout the year, but popular faith is most intensely expressed in pilgrimages, especially on the dates of March 25th and September 8th, when masses are celebrated in her honor, gathering the faithful. A remarkable episode in its recent history occurred in the summer of 1972, when the statue was stolen from the chapel. However, it was recovered a few months later after being found in an antique shop in Lisbon. This unusual event and the subsequent recovery of the statue further strengthened the devotion of the population, who celebrated its return with great fervor and festivity. Thus, the hermitage remains a place of peace and spirituality, inviting reflection and appreciation of the rich historical tapestry and religious traditions of the region.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermida_de_Nossa_Senhora_do_Pranto_(Mação)
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.563349389846714,-7.931444119596648
Coordinates DMS: 39°33'48.1"N 07°55'53.2"W
Weather Vale de Coelho
On-duty Pharmacy Vale de Coelho
