Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Tenões
The Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene is located in Tenões, in the city of Braga, integrated into a landscape of great scenic and spiritual value. Situated on a wooded hillside, the chapel rises partially embedded in the rock, forming a complex that harmonizes with the natural relief. The surroundings convey a sense of seclusion and contemplation, inviting pause and careful observation of the details of the site.
The construction of the chapel was decided on July 14, 1841, and confirmed at the end of the same month, being one of the two chapels built during this period, the other being the Chapel of Saint Peter, and this one dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. The site, however, has older roots, with references dating back to 1522, the year indicated on the inscriptions engraved near the structure, which mention its founder, the Dean of Braga and Lamego, D. João da Guarda. Another inscription indicates a rebuilding in 1839, after it had been abolished in the 18th century, during the time of D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles.
These epigraphic testimonies reveal the religious and historical importance of the space, linked to the devotion and penitential tradition that characterize the complex of chapels on the hillside.
Unlike the other chapels on the Stations of the Cross, the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene is embedded in the rock, taking the form of a grotto. This aspect gives it a unique and symbolic character, evoking the retreat of the saint who, according to tradition, lived in penance and meditation away from the world. Inside, the image of Mary Magdalene in ecstasy stands out, depicted standing on a natural setting of stones and moss, surrounded by musical angels that reinforce the mystical atmosphere of the scene.
Above the portal is an inscription in Latin: “Maria optimam partem elegit quae non auferetur ab ea”, which translates to “Mary chose the better part, which will not be taken away from her”. Curiously, this citation refers to Mary, Lazarus's sister, and not to Mary Magdalene, which creates an interesting symbolic overlap between the two biblical figures.
The interior of the chapel is impressive due to the combination of the natural space and the sculptural elements. The angelic figures, the moss-covered rocks, and the soft light penetrating the small enclosure create a serene and introspective atmosphere. This environment reinforces the sense of recollection and spirituality that the representation of Mary Magdalene seeks to convey.
The conjugation of stone, vegetation, and sacred art makes the chapel a notable example of the integration between religious architecture and nature, reflecting the aesthetic and devotional sensibility characteristic of the period in which it was built.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.55454215104536,-8.37789021341231
Coordinates DMS: 41°33'16.4"N 08°22'40.4"W
