Queen Saint Elizabeth's Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Coimbra > Arganil > Pombeiro da Beira > Bufalhão

Location

The Chapel of Queen Saint Isabel stands in the tranquility of the Bufalhão area, part of the locality of Pombeiro da Beira, in the municipality of Arganil. This place, historically known as Póvoa da Rainha Santa (and formerly Póvoa da Judia), offers a serene setting, characteristic of the Beira landscape, ideal for a calm and reflective visit.

Origin and Legacy

The history of the Chapel of Queen Saint Isabel begins in 1633, by the will of Canon Tomé Nunes. A native of this same area, his profound devotion to Queen Saint Isabel, canonized a few years earlier (in 1625), led him to found this unique temple. The chapel represents an enduring testimony of faith and local history, keeping alive the memory of one of the most revered figures in Portuguese history.

Architecture and Style

The chapel is distinguished by its octagonal plan, a feature that gives it a particular harmony and was less common in the religious architecture of the time. Its eight faces are highlighted by pilasters, and small square windows, protected by iron railings, open on the side elevations. The main facade, with its rectangular door, is adorned by a projecting cornice, decorated with corbels and pinnacles, above which there is a niche. The ensemble is topped by a central bell tower, flanked by two pinnacles. All the local sandstone masonry gives the chapel a solid appearance and natural beauty.

The Interior and Its Details

The interior of the chapel, covered by a dome decorated with rosettes, houses some noteworthy elements. Highlights include the altarpiece, adorned with paintings by the Viscountess of Sanches Frias, and a pulpit made of local stone, whose date of 1746 transports us to the 18th century. An aspect of particular interest is the flat tombstone on the chapel floor, where Canon Tomé Nunes, its founder, rests, with an inscription marking the year 1642, allowing a direct connection with the origin of the temple.

Classified Heritage

The recognition of its historical, cultural, and architectural importance led to the classification of the Chapel of Queen Saint Isabel as a Monument of Public Interest (MIP). This distinction, awarded in 2012, underlines the heritage value of the site and its relevance to the cultural legacy of the municipality of Arganil and the country.

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