Votive Chapel of Saint John the Baptist (Cuba)

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Évora > Reguengos de Monsaraz > Monsaraz > Rua de São João

Location

This chapel is located on the outskirts of the historic village of Monsaraz, within the area corresponding to the old Baluarte de São João. Its location on Rua de São João offers a tranquil environment and allows visitors to explore one of the oldest and most significant points of the locality, contributing to the atmosphere of discovery of Alentejo heritage.

Ancient Origins and Historical Legacy

The Votive Chapel of São João Baptista is recognized as one of the oldest monuments in Monsaraz. Its history dates back to the 11th-12th centuries, a period of Almohad rule, when it is believed to have functioned as a Muslim cuba, either as a funerary building or as a small Islamic sanctuary. Built on a site that was once a rock-cut cemetery, and later Islamized, this unique structure testifies to the strong Arab presence in the region, once part of the Moorish kingdom of Badajoz. After the Christian Reconquista, the site was purified and adapted for Christian worship, being dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of military orders such as the Hospitallers and Templars.

Architecture and Influences

The building exhibits a singular cubic form, which earned it the nickname "Cuba" and denotes a clear Moorish influence. Its square-plan structure is crowned by a hemispherical dome built with red bricks, resting on four angular squinches that suggest Eastern inspirations. The presence of traces of a large arch on one of its facades is also observed, which may have enclosed the original horseshoe arch, the primitive access to the interior before its Christianization. Although its origin dates back to the 11th-12th centuries, later interventions may have incorporated elements reflecting the cultural and architectural fusion that marked the Alentejo and, particularly, Monsaraz.

The Interior Frescoes

Inside this chapel, visitors will find a set of wall paintings that adorn its walls. These works of art were executed in the year 1622 by artists from the city of Évora, conferring additional artistic and historical value to the space. The frescoes offer a glimpse into the religious aesthetics and pictorial mastery of the period, enriching the experience of those seeking to understand the cultural and spiritual evolution of this monument.

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