Chapel of St. James

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Arouca > Chave > São Tiago

Location

The Chapel of S. Tiago is located in the São Tiago area, in the village of Chave, in the municipality of Arouca. It is situated in a rural setting, isolated on the flattened top of a hill, surrounded by a small walled churchyard.

The area surrounding the chapel has been transformed into a leisure park. This site maintains strong ties with the community's life, historically serving as a field for the cattle fair and a central point for the festival dedicated to the patron saint.

History and Devotion

This site's connection to Saint James has ancient roots. The sculpture of the patron saint, depicting him dressed as a pilgrim, is believed to date from the 15th century.

The chapel we see today is the result of a reconstruction carried out in the late 17th century. Later, in the second half of the 18th century, it was enriched with the addition of the wooden altarpiece inside. A date engraved on the main façade, 1824, marks a refurbishment work.

Architecture and Visual Elements

Built with large, worked granite blocks, the chapel presents a simple rectangular shape with a gabled roof. The main façade stands out with its central portal and two side windows. The gables, both front and back, are topped with cornices that curl at the ends, surmounted by crosses with floral elements, adding a distinctive touch.

Inside, the single nave features ceramic tile flooring and a wainscoting of tiles. The altarpiece in the main altar is a wooden piece painted in shades of white, gold, and blue, with a central niche and pilasters, forming a focal point of the interior's simplicity.

An Environment of History and Nature

The chapel's isolated location, surrounded by nature, offers an atmosphere of tranquility. It is a place where the history of its construction meets the natural surroundings of the mountain.

Elements such as the stone in the wall, interpreted as a possible prehistoric vestige, and the continuous association with local celebrations, such as the Feast of São Tiago and the fair, give this site a depth that goes beyond the religious building, connecting it to different eras and traditions.

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