A bit all over the municipality of São Vicente, on the north coast of the island of Madeira, there are symbols, monuments and traditions that testify to the intense connection of this region to faith. Thus, it is not surprising that one of the ex-libris of the municipality is a very peculiar religious monument, called Nossa Senhora de Fátima Chapel.
Situated on the top of a hill, this small temple, whose façades are painted in white, contrasts with its green surroundings. Its unusual typology catches the eye: it is a quadrangular, tower-shaped building with a marked verticality, finished in a spire.
When arriving to Nossa Senhora de Fátima Chapel, which can be accessed through a staircase, visitors are confronted with a striking landscape. On one side, the majesty of the mountains covered by a dense forest mantle, on the other, the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery is completed with the typical houses that sprinkle the slopes - especially the parish of São Vicente, which can be seen in its entirety here.
This monument, considered an important part of the religious and cultural heritage of this region, was recently subject to a requalification process, where mainly elements linked to religious cult and its iconic bell mechanism were restored.
Details
The Nossa Senhora de Fátima Chapel, an ex-libris of São Vicente, stands out for its tower shape and for being on top of a hill with a privileged view.
