The chapel was built by order of D. Manuel I, who was Duke of Beja and King of Portugal, hence the connection to Torrão. He liked the site and built the chapel without the Galilee or annexes. It was D. Manuel who came from Lisbon to Évora in 1512 and brought with him one of Vasco da Gama's six brothers, named Sebastião Gama, for the inauguration, while his brother, Vasco da Gama, was at sea.
When inaugurating the chapel, he granted a new Charter to the Town of Torrão, meaning that Torrão now has two Charters of the Town.
In the 18th century, the annexes and the Galilee were added, as it was at the time of the baptismal font. The roof was restored in 1959 and the new restoration and extensions of the annexes were carried out in 1999. The cross in front of the monument is dated 1958. This cross is not original, as it was built in 1850. However, it was replaced by another that came from the District of Beja, in the care of Mr. António José Sanona, who transported it free of charge in 1958, hence the date indicated above.
Translated by Google •
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