Chapel of Santo Adrião

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Quinta da Capela

Location

The Chapel of Santo Adrião is located in an urban area of the city of Braga, specifically in the area known as Quinta da Capela. Situated on a small elevation, it offers a perspective of the surroundings and marks the landscape. Access to the site is via a granite staircase, which leads to this religious building that stands alongside the road leading towards Monte da Falperra.

Architectural Features

This chapel features Mannerist religious architecture, characterized by a longitudinal plan with a single nave, to which a sacristy and a small bell tower are added. The main facade is distinguished by its perfect arch portal, flanked by two rectangular windows. One of the most notable exterior elements is its porch, supported by robust pillars and Tuscan columns, which invites approach. The walls, predominantly made of granite, reflect the solidity and constructive tradition of the region.

Historical Legacy

The history of the Chapel of Santo Adrião dates back to the 16th century, with its construction dated 1576. This temporal mark is inscribed on the keystone of the main portal, where the information "ANTº SOBRINHO A MANDOV F. 1576" can be read, indicating that its construction was commissioned by António Sobrinho. This record provides a particular point of interest for those who appreciate the memory of places and the passage of time through inscriptions and built elements.

Interior and Artistic Elements

Upon entering the chapel, the flagged floor guides the gaze through its spaces. In the nave, two side chapels with depressed arches are discreetly located. Although many of the original decorative elements have been removed over time, some figures of interest can still be observed. Noteworthy are the images of Saint Adrian and Saint Natalia, resting on a simple shelf, and a representation of Christ crucified, with a cross particularly notable for symbolizing a tree with cut branches. These sculptures, despite the alterations the space has undergone, reveal remarkable plastic quality, testifying to the artistic heritage that remains in this place of devotion.

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