Chapel of Our Lady of Guia

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Águeda > Urgueira > Nossa Senhora da Guia

Location

Situated in the Nossa Senhora da Guia area, in the locality of Urgueira, municipality of Águeda, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia is set in an urban environment. It is flanked by residential buildings that retain the characteristics of an old urban fabric, shaped by the historic royal road that once connected Porto to Lisbon. Access to the chapel is simple, via a step that invites entry into this space of tranquility.

History and Origin

The history of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia dates back to the 17th century. It was in 1682 that the residents of the then-known Lugar do Sardão, now part of the Nossa Senhora da Guia area, obtained permission and carried out the construction of this chapel. Later, in 1710, the space was significantly enriched, thanks to the intervention of Captain João Simões Alvim, who financed the construction of the chancel and its impressive triumphal arch.

Exterior and Architectural Elements

On the exterior, the chapel exhibits architecture with sober lines, characteristic of the period in which it was built, between the 17th and 18th centuries. Its facades, plastered and painted white with a pinkish base, give it a simple but elegant presence. The highlight is the main portal, with a straight lintel and bolection molding, which incorporates two cylindrical protrusions and a stone with the inscription "SENHORA DA GUIA" and the date "1682". Above the portal, an oval oculus illuminates the interior, while the gable is crowned by a trefoil cross at the ends. On the left side, a small bell-gable with a round arch on pilasters completes the composition.

Interior and Artistic Details

Upon entering the chapel, one discovers a serene and inviting interior, with plastered and white-painted walls and a brick floor. The wooden ceiling, with its peculiar trough-style in the nave, contributes to the welcoming atmosphere of the space. The triumphal arch, separating the nave from the chancel, is a point of great artistic interest. Higher than the nave, it features Tuscan pilasters decorated with cushioned and geometric motifs. At the keystone of the arch, a shield marks the work of 1710, mentioning the donation by Captain João Simões Alvim. In the chancel, the wooden main altarpiece, painted white, blue, and gold, with its central tribune and fluted pilasters, complements the richness of the space, also featuring lateral corbels with statuary.

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