Our Lady of the Star Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Beja > Moura > Aldeia da Estrela > Póvoa de São Miguel

Location

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Star (Nossa Senhora da Estrela) is located in the heart of Aldeia da Estrela, a small village that is part of the parish of Póvoa de São Miguel, in the municipality of Moura. The building is strategically positioned in the center of the village, marking its urban development over the centuries. Its main facade, facing west, opens onto the village's main square, preceded by a small churchyard with stair access. This central position offers a view of the immediate surroundings, and its proximity to the shores of the Alqueva Dam, just a few hundred meters to the north, contributes to the scenic beauty of the area.

Historical Legacy

Considered a Monument of Public Interest since 2013, this temple plays a significant role in local history. Although data regarding its foundation are limited, its construction is estimated to date back to the 16th century, a period to which the mural paintings of the chancel are attributed. The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Estrela apparently functioned as the main church of the village of the same name, becoming part of the parish of Póvoa de São Miguel from 1888 onwards. Over time, the building underwent interventions, the most notable being the enlargement of the nave and the creation of new paintings on the ceiling and walls, dated 1856, in the 19th century.

Architectural and Artistic Features

The building features a longitudinal plan, characterized by a single nave and a chancel. Its architecture denotes remarkable simplicity and purity, with staggered volumes and plastered and whitewashed masonry walls, typical of the region. On the main facade, the stonework portal with a straight lintel and a triangular pediment stands out, above which a simple rectangular window is observed. The gable is crowned by pinnacles, and on the left side, slightly set back, rises the bell tower. Inside, visitors can appreciate the 16th-century mural paintings that adorn the chancel ceiling, revealing knowledge of the erudite artistic models of the period. The baptismal font, with its distinctive rope-type decoration, and a late-Baroque altarpiece, complement the artistic richness of the space, which also houses pieces of religious imagery from the 17th and 18th centuries.

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