Chapel of Saint Peter

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Tenões

Location

The Chapel of Saint Peter is located in the Tenões area, in Braga, forming part of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte complex. Situated on an elevated point and surrounded by gardens and staircases, it offers an atmosphere of serenity and contemplation, typical of this space of devotion and Baroque art. The chapel is part of a route of small hermitages representing different stages of Christ's Passion, forming a collection of great historical and spiritual value.

The building rises amidst the vegetation and the granite characteristic of the region, creating a natural setting that reinforces the symbolism of penitence and reflection that inspires the visitor.

Historical Context

The construction of the Chapel of Saint Peter was decided on July 14, 1841, simultaneously with the Chapel of Mary Magdalene. However, its symbolic origins date back centuries, associated with the figure of D. Jorge da Costa, Archbishop of Braga in 1494, whose coat of arms was discovered during excavations in 1839, later integrated into the work.

The space evokes the moment when the apostle Peter denies Christ and, overcome by remorse, weeps bitterly. Above the portal, the Latin inscription “Et egressus foras Petrus flevit amare”, “and going out, Peter wept bitterly”, reinforces this scene of pain and redemption, a central theme in Christian iconography.

Composition and Symbolism

Inside, the chapel features a sculpture of Saint Peter kneeling, set within a rocky scenery that recreates the environment of a grotto. The apostle, with an expression of repentance, looks upwards in prayer, symbolizing deep remorse for his denials of Jesus. To the left, a small figure of a rooster stands out, recalling the biblical episode where the animal's crow announces the moment of the denial.

The ensemble, with a strong emotional charge, invites reflection on forgiveness and human fragility. The combination of the natural space and the drama of the sculpture makes the Chapel of Saint Peter a place of introspection and serene beauty, set within one of Portugal's most emblematic sanctuaries.

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