Capella de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, Chapel of Our Lady of Victories in Portugal

Capella de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, Chapel of Our Lady of Victories in Portugal, was intended to honor Maria Guilhermina Taveira de Brum da Silveira, the wife of a local landowner named José Do Conto who was a wealthy Azorean gardener and amateur botanist. Maria had fallen terminally ill, and her husband took it upon himself to create a testament to her by creating this magical lakeside chapel in 1882.

Jose Do Conto passed away in 1898. Living to see its completion, his wish to be buried next to his wife was fulfilled, and both are there in the Chapel. There are 18 windows, mostly filled with bright stained glass that shine down colorful biblical images on the couple’s final resting place. There are no services held here. This allows the two lovers to rest in peace on this beautiful, mystical island.