Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Coimbra > Tábua > Vila Seca > Seca
The Chapel of Vila Seca / Àzere stands in the area designated as "Seca", integrated into the residential cluster of Vila Seca, in the municipality of Tábua. Surrounded by narrow dirt roads and granite houses, it is slightly elevated relative to the urban pavement, giving it a discreet yet striking prominence in the local landscape.
The surroundings are rural in nature, with vineyards and agricultural fields nearby, providing a tranquil setting and a subtle chromatic contrast between the warm tone of the ceramic tiles and the robust grey of the traditional granite.
This chapel possibly dates back to the 17th/18th centuries and bears witness to the religious and cultural tradition of the Tábua region. The use of large granite blocks in its construction reflects the technique and materials available in the Serra do Açor, common to vernacular buildings in central interior Portugal.
Throughout the centuries, the chapel served as a community gathering point for local religious celebrations, retaining many of its original elements, such as the bell tower and the stone cross that stand out at the gable's apex.
The front portico features cylindrical monobloc columns that support the gabled roof, creating a small, welcoming porch. The symmetrical arrangement of openings and the simple frames of the doors and windows convey harmony and sobriety.
Inside, the space is small but luminous, with white plastered walls that accentuate the contrast with the stone slab floor. The chapel invites a moment of pause and contemplation, in an environment that combines the solidity of granite with the serenity of the surrounding countryside.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.3453651,-8.0636249
Coordinates DMS: 40°20'43.3"N 08°03'49.0"W
Weather Vila Seca
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Seca
