Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Castelo Branco > Fundão > Enxames
The Chapel of Our Lady of Fastio is situated in the area that bears its name, in the locality of Enxames, belonging to the municipality of Fundão. The building stands isolated in a spacious square, paved with granite cubes, which provides an unobstructed surrounding area. It is slightly elevated from street level, with access via a front staircase. The square also features some flowerbeds with trees, contributing to a tranquil environment around the chapel.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Fastio building exhibits characteristics of religious architecture, with influences from the late Baroque period. The main structure is masonry, plastered and painted white, with prominent granite stonework elements defining the base, the facade quoins, topped with pinnacles, and the main portal. The latter, with a straight lintel, is flanked by windows with curved ends and features an oval window on the upper part. On the main facade, to the right of the portal, a polychrome tile panel depicting the image of the patron saint can be observed. A distinctive external element is the double bell tower attached to the left side of the chapel, structured in two levels with arched openings for the bells, culminating in its own gable.
Upon visiting the interior, one finds a simple space, yet with decorative details. The walls are white and the lower part is clad with a wainscoting of monochrome blue and white patterned tiles. The nave ceiling is made of 'masseira' wood, while the chancel features a false barrel vault ceiling, also made of wood. At the entrance, there is a choir loft made of turned wood. The arch separating the nave from the chancel, a perfect arch, rests on pilasters and has a curious heart-shaped decoration on its keystone. Flanking this arch, there are two side altars made of painted wood. The main artistic highlight is the main altarpiece, in carved wood, painted in shades of white, blue, and gold, with columns flanking the central space intended for the image, and topped by an imposing glory.
The history of the Chapel of Our Lady of Fastio is older than the building observed today. Although the current construction is generally attributed to the 18th or 19th centuries, the existence of a place of worship dedicated to Our Lady of Fastio dates back at least to the 13th century. Historical documents, dated 1260, already mention the church of Fastio as belonging to the Chapter of Egitânea, which highlights its long religious tradition in the region and its historical importance for the locality of Enxames.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.1566454,-7.3871351
Coordinates DMS: 40°09'23.9"N 07°23'13.7"W