In front of us stands a modest building. It is a former chapel that now serves as an art gallery. This is the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição has a fascinating history. Father José da Silva Carvalho founded it in 1710. The street where it stands became known as Travessa da Ermida because of this chapel.
Imagine Lisbon in 1710. The city was recovering from past hardships. Religious devotion was a central part of life. Father Carvalho’s initiative to build this chapel reflects that deep faith.
The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição’s architecture is simple. It features a longitudinal plan. Two rectangles form the nave and chancel. The roof has two slopes. The main facade faces east. A straight doorway made of stonework stands out. Above it is a broken pediment with volutes and pinnacles. A rectangular window with ironwork flanks the doorway.
Inside, the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição is divided into a nave and a raised chancel. A perfect arch made of stonework connects them. The nave once featured monochrome tile panels from the late 17th century. On the Gospel side was a stone pulpit base. It is now part of the wooden stairs leading to the upper choir.
In 1910, after the proclamation of the Republic, the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição was desecrated. This marked a turbulent time in Portuguese history. Religious buildings were often targeted during the establishment of the Republic.
Luísa Adelaide Barreto Pinto owned the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição from 1940 to 1952. Later, Madalena Fortes owned it until 1997. For a time, from the 1970s to the 1990s, a mattress workshop operated inside the old chapel.
In 1997, Alcino Fernandes das Neves Ferreira bought the building for 10,000,000$00. He had been a tenant since 1950. In 1999, the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição was transformed into an art gallery.
Today, the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição serves a cultural purpose. It hosts art exhibitions. The building is part of the Special Protection Zone of the Jerónimos Monastery. This highlights its historical and cultural importance.
The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição stands as a testament to Lisbon’s layered past. It has been a place of worship, a workshop, and now a gallery. It reflects the city’s evolving identity.
Take a moment to appreciate this unique space. The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição is more than just a building. It is a symbol of Lisbon’s enduring spirit. It connects the past with the present. It embodies faith, resilience, and creativity.