To
the west of St. Augustine Church is the Royal
Chapel dedicated to Portugal saints that
was built in the early 16th century.
Every
year the Chapel received money from the army.
In 1835, the church was closed as it was
closed down as it was thought of as a useless
expense.
It was however restored back first
in 1894 and later in 1961 and looks almost
new.
This chapel was dedicated to Portugal's
national saint and the patron saint of the
army and navy. Each year, on the Saint's
feast day, his statue was taken in procession
to collect his "dues"
from the state budget.
The Portuguese governor
in 1838 tried to stop this practice, but on the
day of feast of that year, the governor had a
near fatal accident after falling from his horse.
The tradition was immediately restored! |
