Santa Serrinha Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Santa Susana

Location

The Church of Santa Serrinha stands in Santa Susana, a small village in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, surrounded by montado fields and olive groves. Access is via rural paths, next to a private property where the complex is situated.

The building occupies a slightly elevated position, offering a tranquil perspective over the surrounding countryside.

Origin and Evolution

The construction likely originated from a hermitage of Carmelite friars, dating back to the late 16th or early 18th century. The initial presence of a religious community justifies the existence of reception areas for pilgrims.

The current design of the church reveals Baroque influences, particularly visible in the main facade and its ornate openings, resulting from successive remodels over the centuries.

Architecture and Elements

The complex features a simple facade of plastered masonry, with traces of the original plaster revealing exposed brick in some sections of the wall. The gable is topped by a single-door bell tower.

Adjacent to the temple, there is a small "holy spring" and several houses that likely served as an inn, indicating its function in supporting those who visited the hermitage.

Natural Surroundings

Around the church, a carpet of low-lying grass extends to the oak and cork oak trees. This wild environment imparts a sense of isolation and serenity.

The typical vegetation of the montado offers different scenery depending on the daylight, making the location particularly appealing for moments of contemplation or for photographic records.