Chapel of Saint Martin of the Bishop

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Casais

Location

The Chapel of São Martinho do Bispo is located within the Casais urbanization, in the locality of Coimbra. It stands on a steeply inclined area, integrated into the urban fabric of the settlement. Its churchyard, delimited by a wall, is paved with Portuguese cobblestones and stone slabs in the central area, where some old engraved inscriptions can still be observed. Access is through wrought iron gates, one of them on the main facade, flanked by staircases that follow the slope of the terrain.

Historical Notes

The history of the Chapel of São Martinho do Bispo dates back to ancient times. In 1080, D. Sisnando donated these lands for repopulation, and it was here that Abbot Pedro built the first church. Over the centuries, the building underwent various transformations, maintaining its religious function. In the 16th century, the chamfered sacristy door was added, and in the 17th century, the main door acquired its current form. The 18th century marked an important remodelling, with the construction of the bell tower in 1733 and the addition of Baroque and Rococo elements, possibly at the initiative of Father António da Cunha Rebello, whose tomb, dated 1780, is still in the churchyard.

Architectural and Artistic Features

The Chapel of São Martinho do Bispo displays a fusion of 18th-century, Baroque, and Rococo styles, characteristic of successive interventions over time. The main facade, with its cut-out gable and arched portico, reveals Baroque grandeur, while the pinnacles at the corners lend verticality. Inside, the false barrel-vaulted ceilings stand out, with coffered panels in the nave and padded panels in the chancel, creating a distinct atmosphere. The Rococo tiles that line the chancel and nave are a point of interest, exhibiting rich blue and white monochromatic ornamentation, with scenes alluding to Saint Dominic, Saint Anthony, the Last Supper, and Saint Martin, among others.

The Splendor of the Gilded Woodwork

One of the most captivating artistic elements of the chapel is its gilded and polychrome carved woodwork. The main altarpiece, of Baroque design and concave plan, is dominated by Solomonic columns and exuberant phytomorphic ornamentation, culminating in a large exposition throne. The side and collateral altarpieces, in Rococo style, complement the ensemble with their more dynamic decoration, rich in shell motifs and auricular forms, some attributed to Master Carver Domingos Moreira, in 1757. The richness of the details in the carving significantly contributes to the ambiance and beauty of the space, inviting a careful observation of the sacred art that the church preserves.

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