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GPS 38.73046639405386, -9.324316031280453

Although it is unknown when it was founded by Frei Gonçalo de Azevedo, knight of the Order of Malta, the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Abóboda has the oldest datable record in the year 1579, inscribed on the armored tomb, which can be seen in the chapel- head of the temple.

In this small chapel and in the convent that was attached to it in 1673, a nucleus of friars from the congregation of Agostinhos Descalços was installed, who remained here for three years.

Approximately in 1750, the religious equipment was occupied by Polish friars of the Order of the Immaculate Conception, with the name of the well-known Father Casimiro Wyszynsky being associated with it, who ended up passing away, with a reputation for holiness, in the Convent of Balsamão Macedo de Cavaleiros, where he lived. is buried.

In the 18th century, the chapel hosted a brotherhood of seafarers who ensured that, on December 8th, festivities in honor of the patron saint were held, a tradition that has continued to this day.

Recently, the hermitage was restored, but few of the original features were preserved.

“(…) Although the year in which the hermitage of N.ª Sra. da Conceição da Abóboda was founded is not known with complete accuracy, the year 1579 was taken as the first date of which there is reliable news; however, Friar Agostinho de Santa Maria, in his Marian Sanctuary, assures us that the hermitage was founded about three generations prior to this date”. This is what Fernando Gomes says in his work, on page. 12, whose title is exactly the hermitage of N. Sra. da Conceição da Abóboda. (…)

(…) regarding the toponym Abóboda explains Frei Agostinho de Santa Maria (Santuário Mariano, volume II, Lisbon 1707): “in ancient times there was an ark on that site, or a water house, or something similar, of which there are many examples; where the water was led from some source…”, the document then referring to Prof.’s explanation. J. Diogo Correia, which, in fact, we reproduced, and is very similar.

There were several events that took place there, asserting that the “Prior of Crato” (when he was persecuted by Filipino henchmen) took refuge in the hermitage of N.ª Sra. da Conceição”, which “is quite possible given the great affection of the Almeidas Azevedo towards the head of the Portuguese resistance and the region, due to its isolation, being suitable for a refuge”.

“At the beginning of 1670, expansions were made to the old hermitage, and a small convent was built which, in 1673, was occupied by a small group of friars from the Congregation of the Discalced Augustines (…)”.

These friars were helped by Manuel Ribeiro Quaresma, captain of the ship “Conceição” who, having saved him from several dangers on the high seas when sailing from Brazil, decided to make several improvements to the convent. However, in 1676, by order of the Judge of the Palace, the religious were expelled from there because the maximum number of licenses for the construction of Augustinian religious houses had already been reached.

In the sacristy of the hermitage there is an “ex-voto”, in oil on wood and with an inscription reporting a miracle performed by Our Lady of Conceição and which says the following: “Miracle performed by Our Lady of Conceição Conceição da Abóboda ao Dor. João Princípe and his wife. Both being without hope of life. By turning to Mrs. they will be free from the complaints they suffered in July 1754.”

TEIXEIRA, Carlos A; CARDOSO, Guilherme; MIRANDA, Jorge – Photographic Record of the Parish of S. Domingos de Rana and Some Historical-Administrative Notes, Cascais: Associação Cultural de Cascais, 2003, p. 88)

HUMILITY AND TRADITION In fact, few will be the ones who, when passing by, will realize that, in the middle of the houses, despite a certain surrounding spaciousness, there is a simple hermitage, full of tradition. In fact, that's how important things are: you don't need to stand on tiptoe; See them well if you want to have eyes to see.

It takes place in Conceição da Abóboda, towards the eastern side of the municipality. A hermitage that, at first glance, doesn't even seem worth a brief visit. Deserve.

This year passed, according to everything we believe, the 420th anniversary of its official foundation. In fact, as Dr. Fernando Gomes points out in the monograph he published on the temple in 1980, the foundation must necessarily be older.

Full list of Geochaching below: