Images of Portugal: Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Assunção de Messejana, Aljustrel
The Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Assunção de Messejana in the parish of Messejana near Aljustrel in the Alentejo region is the site of an annual procession, during which the image of Our Lady of the Assumption is carried to the chapel. The Baroque building lies on a small hill about 3 km from Messejana.
The blue and white-painted church dates originally to the 15th century and has two bell towers topped with domes. Also on the frontage are the royal coat of arms of King José I. José I was the ruling monarch of Portugal during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake which levelled the church, after which it was completely rebuilt. The reconstruction works were financed by both local inhabitants and Portuguese emigrants in Brazil. The church was also significantly damaged in the 1969 earthquake and subsequently restored.
Inside, the chancel is decorated with 18th-century azulejos tiles depicting scenes of the birth of the Virgin Mary.
Address: Messejana, Aljustrel, Portugal.
