Chapel of Saint Anthony

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Braga > Barcelos > Chorente > Santo António

Location:

The Chapel of Saint Anthony is located in the place with the same name, in the parish of Chorente, municipality of Barcelos. It is situated in a rural area, surrounded by fields and some dwellings, integrated into the surroundings of the historic Quinta do Cabo.

The chapel presents itself to visitors with its main facade facing a small square next to a local road, at a point where different paths meet. The surrounding landscape, typically from Minho, contributes to the serene atmosphere of the place.

Historical Origin:

The history of this chapel dates back to the early 18th century. Its construction took place around the year 1711, driven by Father António José de Melo. At the time, this priest was the Rector of Santa Eulália de Rio Côvo and owned properties nearby, in the area known as Lugar do Cabo.

Built alongside the route that once functioned as the royal road connecting Famalicão to Barcelos, the chapel has maintained its religious function since its foundation. Parish records from the mid-18th century already documented the existence of this building in this precise location.

Architectural Features:

The Chapel of Saint Anthony exhibits a simple and traditional configuration, with a single rectangular nave. Its structure is covered by a gabled roof.

The main facade, oriented south, is plastered and painted white, topped by a triangular pediment. This pediment is adorned with pinnacles at the corners and bears a cross at the top. A shell-shaped niche, with a perfect arch, enriches the tympanum.

The main entrance is through a straight lintel portal, surmounted by a smaller triangular pediment. This portal is flanked by two rectangular windows with grilles. The side facades, in contrast, display the natural beauty of granite masonry with their irregular courses. One of these facades includes a slit with slanted sides, while the other has a side door with a straight lintel.

Materials and Interior:

In the construction of the chapel, materials characteristic of local building were employed. The base structure, the interior floor, and the holy water font are made of robust granite.

The interior ceiling of the space, as well as the main door, are made of wood, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. For security reasons, the windows feature iron grilles, and the exterior roof is covered with traditional ceramic barrel tiles.

Inside, the single, bright space, painted white, invites introspection. The floor is composed of granite slabs. On the end wall, there is the altar table and a small corbel.

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