Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation

Category: Religious Architecture > Hermitage

District: Beja > Serpa > Brinches

Location

The Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation is located on a small rise at the entrance to the village of Brinches, in the municipality of Serpa. Its atmosphere is peaceful and inviting, surrounded by a garden with flowerbeds and paved paths. Access is via a stone staircase, flanked by a low wall, leading to this place of serenity.

A Dialogue of Eras

This place of worship reveals an interesting coexistence of styles and eras. Although its origins date back to the 16th century, with the construction of the chancel and the nave walls, much of its current character was shaped by interventions carried out in the first half of the 18th century. It was during this Baroque period that the chapel acquired its narthex, the vault covering the nave, and, notably, its rich tile coverings.

The Richness of the Tiles

The interior of the chapel surprises with its sumptuous tile decoration, which covers the triumphal arch and the chancel. This Baroque composition, of great theatricality, stands out for its representations of fluttering curtains, angels supporting medallions, and garlands full of flowers and foliage. The dynamism and richness of details lend a unique atmosphere to the space, this work being attributed to the master tile painter Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes.

Forms and Structure

The chapel features a longitudinal plan, with differentiated volumes that stand out for their exterior simplicity. The walls are plastered and whitewashed, following the models of regional popular architecture. The main facade, more elaborate, integrates pilasters, cornices, and mortar volutes highlighted by grey paint. At the top, a bell-gable houses a small bell, while inside, the chancel preserves its ogival rib vault, an element that directly transports us back to its 16th-century foundation.

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