St Roch (chapel)
Original title: São Roque (Capela de)
The chapel of São Roque stands above the bay of Machico, with the São Roque spring at its foot. It was rebuilt on its present site by its confraternity in 1739 and is known for its fine azulejo tiles depicting the life of the saint.
On entering the small but beautiful bay of Machico, one sees on the left, leaning out over the ocean, a chapel dedicated to St Roch, at the foot of which lies the well-known spring of the same name. The present chapel is not the original one, which stood a short distance from it, roughly on the square that lies there, overlooking the sea. That building was old, but we do not know the year of its foundation. As it had fallen into an advanced state of ruin, its confraternity had it rebuilt in 1739, and it was then erected on the spot where it stands today. The licence granted for its blessing is dated 6 June of that year, but the date 1751 can be read on the high altar; this perhaps refers to the installation of that altar in place of another that may have stood there. Inside, the chapel is adorned with exquisite azulejos (painted glazed tiles) depicting the principal episodes in the life of the saint. They have been admired by Portuguese and foreigners alike, and they truly deserve a visit. A fine road leads from the centre of the town (vila) to the churchyard of the chapel; in the summer season it is much frequented by the holidaymakers who spend the hot months in Machico.
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Places mentioned · 05- Chapel of St Roch · Subject
Funchal
The chapel of São Roque stands above the bay of Machico, with the São Roque spring at its foot. It was rebuilt on its present site by its confraternity in 1739 and is noted for its azulejo tiles depicting the life of the saint. The notes also describe a chapel built by local residents that gave the parish of São Roque its name and served as its first parish church.
- Chapel of St Roch · Subject
Machico. The subject of the entry, overlooking the ocean at Machico.
Old chapel of São Roque standing above the bay of Machico, overlooking the ocean, with the São Roque spring at its foot and an old, abandoned landing place beside it. Its confraternity rebuilt it on its present site in 1739, and it is known for its fine azulejo tiles depicting the life of the saint.
- Bay of Machico
Machico. The chapel stands on the left as one enters this bay.
Bay at Machico, Madeira, recorded as the site of the first landing of the discoverers. Cadamosto anchored there three days after reaching Porto Santo, and the chapel of São Roque and the Forte de São João Baptista stand by it.
- Fonte de São Roque
Machico. Well-known spring at the foot of the chapel.
The Fonte de São Roque is a well-known medicinal spring at the foot of the chapel of São Roque in Machico, and its water was analysed.
- Machico
A road leads from the town centre to the chapel, much used by summer visitors.
The parish of Machico was the landing place of the discoverers Zargo and Tristão Vaz and the seat of the captaincy of Machico; the parish was founded c. 1450. The Elucidário covers its clergy and stipends, chapels, historical events, mineral springs, localities, population and notable natives.