Chapel of Santana

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

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

Location:

The Chapel of Santana is located in the area precisely known as "Capela de Santana", within the locality and municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta. It is situated in an environment that allows observation of the surroundings, a characteristic of this area of the municipality.

Origin and Era:

This small religious building has its historical roots somewhere between the 16th and 17th centuries. Its construction therefore dates back to a significant period of local history, witnessing centuries of devotion and transformation of the surrounding landscape and community.

Exterior Architecture:

Observing the chapel from the outside, the main facade stands out, ending in a triangular upper format, known as a gable. At the top of this gable, there is a small structure with a bell, topped by a cross, a typical element of rural or smaller chapels.

Access is through a portal whose upper part is straight, with a simple and functional design. Beside this portal, there is a carved space in the wall, a niche, where a sculpture rests. This sculpture represents the family of Mary: Saint Anne, Saint Joachim, and Our Lady as a young girl, an iconographic theme that gives the chapel its name.

Interior:

Inside, the main highlight is the altarpiece located on the main altar. It is a piece of carved wood, or 'talha', covered with gold leaf, which gives it a rich and luminous appearance, despite the modest size of the space. This central element is framed by two twisted columns, known as Solomonic columns, which contribute to the ornamentation and style of the interior decoration.

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