Chapel of the Lord of Agony

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Coimbra > Arganil > Mourão

Location

The Chapel of Senhor da Agonia is located in the village of Mourão, within the municipality of Arganil. Its position, slightly set apart from the village center, in the direction leading to the Mont'Alto Sanctuary, gives it an atmosphere of tranquility and prominence, set within a more rural environment.

Historical Value and Classification

This small temple dates back to the mid-18th century, having been built around 1758. Over the years, it has undergone conservation interventions, such as those carried out in 1945. Its historical and architectural importance was officially recognized with its classification as a Property of Public Interest in 1982, a status that safeguards its patrimonial value.

Architecture and Interior

The chapel, with sober lines and an architecture reflecting the transition between Baroque and Rococo, features a longitudinal plan with a single nave and main altar. On the main facade, pilastered quoins and straight gables frame the rectangular portal. The latter is adorned by a broken pediment and a niche, while side windows, of a similar style, contribute to the exterior's aesthetic composition.

However, it is within its interior that the chapel reveals its greatest artistic richness. The main and side altarpieces stand out for the exuberance of their gilded carving, characterized by its ample shell-shaped ornaments, so typical of the second half of the 18th century. Each altarpiece is flanked by columns and topped by decorative elements that include the so-called "solar glories". The pulpit, with its stone basin resting on a console, displays a finely crafted railing with the same shell-shaped motifs, harmonizing the ensemble.

A Future as a Museum Center

Currently, the Chapel of Senhor da Agonia is undergoing rehabilitation, with the aim of transforming it into the future Sacred Art Museum Center of Arganil. This initiative aims not only at the recovery of the building but also at the valorization and promotion of a vast collection of sacred art from the municipality. The intervention intends to restore utility to a historical space, making its artistic collection accessible to the public and enriching the cultural experience of those who visit the region.

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