Perhaps a divine scent lingers here. This is the Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes e da Senhora da Caridade. It is a Rococo hermitage. It was built in 1757. The Brotherhood of Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes funded it.
The Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes e da Senhora da Caridade boasts 18th-century tilework. The exterior shows two Stations of the Cross. Inside, monochrome and polychrome tiles depict historical episodes. They also show vegetal motifs.
Let’s step inside the Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes e da Senhora da Caridade. The chancel features a gilded altarpiece. White-painted wood carvings display the Crucified Christ and Our Lady of Charity. The ceiling’s stucco depicts symbols of Christ’s Passion.
Legend says the Brotherhood of Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes e da Senhora da Caridade had a chapel in the Convento da Esperança. The 1755 earthquake struck. The seafaring brothers rescued their images. They processed to Campo das Trinas. Only in 1757 was this small Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes built. It became a place of devotion for seafarers. In 1898, the Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes underwent a significant restoration.
Look closely at the entrance. On both sides of the door, legends tell the brotherhood’s history. They also describe the transfer of the images to this site. Inside the Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes e da Senhora da Caridade, azulejo panels adorn the chapel. Near the chancel, one panel evokes Our Lady’s charity. It depicts the Wedding at Cana. Another shows Christ’s piety. This one depicts the Miraculous Catch of Fish. A second set of panels portrays the faithful’s distress during the earthquake. It shows the procession carrying images to the new chapel.
Norberto de Araújo suggests the Rua dos Navegantes existed in 1715. This was because the Chapel of the Confraria da Caridade was already here. After the 1755 earthquake, a couple saved the images. They moved them to the new Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes e da Senhora da Caridade built in 1757.
The Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes e da Senhora da Caridade stands as a testament to faith. It also represents maritime devotion. Its art and history offer a glimpse into Lisbon’s past. It is a reminder of resilience after the great earthquake. The Ermida do Senhor Jesus dos Navegantes continues to inspire. It connects us to the city’s rich cultural heritage.