Our Lady of Health Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Oliveira de Azeméis > Fajões > Lavandeira

Location:

The Chapel of Our Lady of Health stands in the Lavandeira area, in Fajões, within the municipality of Oliveira de Azeméis. Nestled in a predominantly rural setting, it faces a local, low-traffic road, which lends it a calm atmosphere amidst scattered housing.

In the immediate vicinity, a landscape of agricultural fields and small chestnut groves extends, offering gentle views over the hillside where the chapel is situated. Access is via a paved road, with parking available near the churchyard, allowing visitors to appreciate the building without heavy traffic at its entrance.

Origin and History:

Likely dating from the 18th century, this chapel reflects the popular devotion to Our Lady of Health, invoked during times of plague and disease. Its simple, sober-lined facade conceals a collective memory of community initiative, involving local families who contributed to its construction and maintenance over generations.

Inside, though modest, it retains a small painted wooden main altar, with a niche where the original image of Our Lady of Health was presumed to be. Parish records suggest occasional restoration work in the early 20th century, always respecting the traditional materials and techniques of the region.

Aesthetics and Atmosphere:

The architectural volume is based on a rectangular design, clad in white plaster, contrasting with the openings and stonework in granite. The main door, flanked by two pilasters, rests on a natural stone step that emerges from the ground, emphasizing the relationship between the building and the terrain.

The triangular top of the main facade, crowned by a stone cross, gives it a classic focal point, while small figures carved into the eaves' corners add a discreet sculptural detail. The warm hue of the wooden portal, already worn by time, underscores the welcoming and genuine character of this small temple.

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