Chapel of the Apparition to Saint Mary Magdalene

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Tenões

Location

The Chapel of the Apparition to Saint Mary Magdalene is located in the parish of Tenões, in Braga, as part of the monumental complex of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Situated on an elevated platform, to the left of the main square, it is the fifteenth chapel of the Via Sacra (Way of the Cross), succeeding the Chapel of the Resurrection. Its position, slightly set back and flanked by vegetation, creates a secluded and contemplative atmosphere, ideal for meditation after the upward journey of the sanctuary.

The building stands out for its balanced proportions and the harmony between the architecture and the natural surroundings, offering a serene view over the mount and the paths leading to the other chapels.

Architecture and Inscription

Built in 1763 and renovated in 1790, the chapel exhibits a clear Rococo style in its exterior decoration, especially in the upper part of the facade, where the shell motif and ornamental stone reliefs stand out. It has an octagonal plan and a pyramidal roof, crowned by pinnacles that reinforce the verticality and elegance of the whole. Above the door lintel, there is the Latin inscription “APPARUIT PRIMO MARIAE MAGDALENAE” (Mark 16:9), translated as “She first appeared to Mary Magdalene,” an expression that summarizes the theme represented inside.

The combination of stone and white plaster gives the facade a delicate contrast, which, under natural light, enhances the sculptural details and the symbolic character of the construction.

Interior Composition

Inside, the visitor finds a sculptural arrangement recreating the moment when the risen Jesus appears before Mary Magdalene. Christ appears in the figure of a gardener, holding a gardening trowel, a gesture that recalls the Gospel account in which Magdalene mistakes him for a gardener near the tomb. The figure of Jesus, enveloped in a golden mantle and radiating serenity, contrasts with the astonishment and emotion of Magdalene, depicted in a movement of surprise and devotion.

To the left, one observes angels and pious women carrying pots of perfumes and approaching the open tomb, symbolizing the moment they receive the news of the Resurrection. The setting, molded in soft tones and framed by a grotto, creates an atmosphere of light and hope, marked by the delicacy of the expressions and the balance of the figures.

Atmosphere and Significance

The Chapel of the Apparition to Saint Mary Magdalene marks the instant when the message of the Resurrection is revealed for the first time. The arrangement of the figures, the contrast between shadow and light, and the serenity of the interior space lead the visitor to reflect on forgiveness and renewed faith. This episode, which concludes the cycle of Christ's manifestations after Easter, symbolizes spiritual transformation and the recognition of the divine presence in human life.

With its aesthetic harmony and the balance between art and spirituality, this chapel invites silent contemplation and concludes the journey of the Via Sacra on a note of reconciliation and hope.

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