Chapel of Arraiolos

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Évora > Arraiolos > Arraiolos > Bairro Serpa Pinto

Location

The Chapel of Arraiolos, formally known as the Church of Santa Casa da Misericórdia, is located in the historic center of the Alentejo village of Arraiolos. It is specifically situated in the area designated Bairro Serpa Pinto, facing a calm, paved square, with a few steps preceding its main entrance. Its setting is essentially urban, integrated into the fabric of the village.

A Look at History

The origins of this chapel date back to the early 16th century, when the Brotherhood of Misericórdia was established in Arraiolos, in 1524, with the support of the House of Bragança. The construction of the current building, on its present site, began later, around 1585. Over the subsequent centuries, the church underwent various interventions and additions, acquiring the architectural and decorative characteristics observed today, a result of different eras.

Architecture and Exterior

The building features a design that combines Mannerist and Baroque elements. Its main façade, with simple lines, stands out for its ashlar portal with a straight lintel, flanked by pilasters and topped by an inscription and a triangular pediment. Above this, a later gable finish adds a unique touch. The side façades are reinforced by buttresses, while the bell tower, attached to one side, rises with its arches and conical finial.

The Interior and the Tiles

Upon entering the chapel, visitors are greeted by the richness of its interior decoration, where the tiles stand out. The walls of the nave and transept are covered with late-Baroque tile panels, many of them dated 1753. These panels depict the Works of Mercy, both corporal and spiritual, and also symbolic figures of the Virtues, such as Charity, Hope, Justice, and Faith, offering a remarkable visual catechesis.

Sacred Art and Interior Details

The interior of the chapel also houses other elements of artistic and historical interest. The nave ceiling is a false barrel vault, decorated with stucco work forming elaborately designed coffers. In the chancel, the gilded altarpiece, dating from the late 18th century, stands out, which incorporates older, 16th-century painted panels attributed to the painter André Peres, depicting scenes such as the Visitation or the Adoration of the Shepherds. On the floor, near the entrance, some sepulchral gravestones can also be observed, with inscriptions and coats of arms, bearing witness to ancient burials in this sacred space.

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