Nossa Senhora dos Remédios

“A sanctuary for weary souls.” This thought might have crossed the minds of countless fishermen seeking solace at Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Nossa Senhora dos Remédios stands as a testament to the enduring faith and resilience of Lisbon’s Alfama district. This chapel, also known as the Ermida do Espírito Santo, traces its origins back to the early 16th century, around 1517. It was commissioned by the Irmandade de São Pedro Telmo, a brotherhood composed primarily of fishermen and seafarers. The chapel’s dedication to Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, Our Lady of Remedies, stems from a local legend. A statue of the Virgin Mary was supposedly discovered within a well near the entrance. The well’s waters were then believed to possess miraculous healing properties. Around 1551, the brotherhood expanded the site by building a hospital next to Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. This hospital later became a vital resource for abandoned children. The 17th century saw further development, with the addition of a sacristy, meeting rooms, and other facilities for the confraternity. Both the chapel and its associated buildings underwent renovations in 1694. However, the devastating earthquake of 1755 significantly impacted Alfama. Nossa Senhora dos Remédios required extensive reconstruction, finally completed in 1757. Unfortunately, the hospital wasn’t rebuilt. The chapel’s architecture reflects a blend of Manueline and Baroque styles. The main façade features a magnificent Manueline portal with a polylobular arch, adorned with intricate vegetal decorations and a shield bearing the dove of the Holy Spirit. Inside Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, you’ll find a single nave covered with a stucco ceiling. The chancel is short and rectangular. 18th-century azulejos grace the nave’s walls, while the chancel houses an altarpiece with painted panels. These panels are thought to be the work of Gregório Lopes’ workshop. A unique feature of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is the location of the meeting room above the nave. The portal itself has been recognized as a National Monument since 1910, while the chapel as a whole holds the status of a Public Interest Building.