Chapel of Cepos

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Águeda > Cêpos

Location:

The Chapel of Cepos is located in the village of Cêpos, part of the municipality of Águeda. It is situated in a rural environment, slightly set apart from the busier center of the village.

It is set within a more open space, flanked by some dwellings and cultivated fields, offering a tranquil setting.

History and Exterior Architecture

The history of the Chapel of Cepos probably dates back to the 17th century, although the current appearance of the main façade is the result of a profound remodelling that took place in the 20th century.

This most recent intervention is particularly notable in the main façade's polychrome patterned tile cladding, predominantly in shades of blue and brown on a white background. During this period, the bell tower was also added, standing out next to the chapel's main body.

The main façade is characterized by its structure with a simple central portal, flanked by windows, and topped by a large window. Above this, there is a semicircular niche housing a clock, an element that lends a distinctive visual feature to the building.

Interior Environment and Artistic Details

Upon entering the chapel, one immediately notices the contrast between the white-painted walls and the lower band, or dado, covered with polychrome patterned tiles in shades of blue and yellow. The main nave's ceiling is of the "masseira" type, divided into white-painted coffers, while in the chancel, further ahead, these coffers are painted blue, creating a subtle distinction between the spaces.

Various decorative elements inside warrant attention. Near the entrance, one discovers a shell-shaped holy water font. In the nave, a pulpit stands out, its wooden guard featuring carvings and decorations with vegetal motifs. The arch separating the nave from the chancel is constructed of stonework, displaying a perfect arch form.

In the chancel, the main altarpiece, although resulting from different periods, incorporates notable elements of gilded carving, thought to belong to an older set, perhaps from the 17th century. Particularly prominent are the pseudo-Solomonic columns, richly decorated with vine and cluster motifs, flanking spaces where religious images are found, bearing witness to the evolution and decorative richness of the space over time.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt