Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Bragança > Freixo de Espada à Cinta > Freixo de Espada à Cinta > Freixo de Espada à Cinta e Mazouco

Location

The Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies is located in the urban area of Freixo de Espada à Cinta. It is flanked by circulation routes, featuring a wider space at its front, defined by a wall. In this exterior space, there are also two small niches near the ground, dedicated to devotion.

Brief Historical Note

The construction of the chapel dates back to the 18th century, possibly the second half. Historical documents from 1758 already referred to it, indicating that, at the time, it was located in the suburbs of the town of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.

Exterior Architecture

With a simple quadrangular plan and a hip roof, the chapel stands out for its Baroque architecture. An unusual feature is that it has two identical main facades, one at the front and one at the back, both with a straight lintel entrance portal decorated with volutes at the top and flanked by windows. The front facade also includes a simple bell gable with a cut-out finial and a cross. The walls are plastered and painted white, with grey details, and the corners are highlighted by pilasters that terminate in pinecone-shaped pinnacles.

The Interior and Painted Decoration

Inside, the walls are also painted white. The ceiling is particularly notable, being made of wood and painted in shades of blue and red with a style that simulates depth ("trompe l'oeil"). The ceiling decoration includes vegetal motifs, false architectures, and curious figures known as grotesques, with rosettes in the corners. Capping the upper part of the walls is a frieze composed of 18 painted wooden panels, each containing illustrations of the Life of Christ, framed in gold. The floor is covered with granite slabs, with some integrated shale pieces. The main altar, in the center, is surmounted by a golden throne with volutes and acanthus, flanked by figures of angels and topped by a cross with the images of Christ and the Virgin.

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