Chapel and Fountain of Santa Comba

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Celas

Chapel of Santa Comba

- Built in the early 17th century, replacing a hermitage from the 15th century.

- Site of the martyrdom of Santa Comba.

- Historical references date back to 1458.

- Belonged to the cathedral chapter since 1491.

- Sold by the Public Treasury around 1925.

Structure

- Small chapel with a porch, with a typical regional parapet.

- Originally had a porch with columns and pillars, currently deteriorated.

- The facade features a door with a semicircular arch and a bell tower with two bells.

Current State

- The chapel is quite degraded, with parts of the porch and tiles missing.

- Rehabilitation projects plan to restore the porch and adapt it back to worship.

Fountain of Santa Comba

Location

- Located below the hill of the chapel, on the slope of a farm in Valmeão.

Description

- Rectangular fountain cut into the slope, with deteriorating decoration.

- Gargoyle with a human figure, sink in the shape of a circular shell, and a simple niche.

- Bas-relief representing Santa Comba crucified, dated from the 17th century.

Culture and Tradition

- The fountain still receives local worship, with candles lit on July 20th in honor of Santa Comba.