Santa Casa da Misericórdia

An old chapel by the city park of Sesimbra, for five minutes of interest.

The Chapel of Mercy first appears in a document from 1555 by João Serrão, who is also mentioned as the patron of the Sailors’ Hospital. Serrão is a prominent seafarer, traveling the world with da Gama and Magellan, commanding a ship named ”Santiago,” and amassing wealth in the process. The painting of the Holy Virgin comes from court painter Gregório Lopes, that wasn’t given for free. Other things were: the testamentary estate of a prior of the castle church went to the chapel in 1568 — including a slave named Sabina. The sacred art is a local journey through art history up to the early 20th century because merchants keep contributing with donations.