Hermitage of Saint Peter

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Mourão > Mourão > Margalha

Location

The Chapel of São Pedro is serenely integrated into the Margalha urbanization, an area of the town of Mourão. This religious building offers a point of interest for those exploring the streets of this peaceful Alentejo village, located in the municipality of Mourão. Its presence in the urban fabric invites a quiet visit, allowing one to discover one of its oldest legacies.

A Look at Its History

Records indicate that this chapel already existed in the mid-16th century, having been founded by Luísa Rodrigues, a figure linked to the local elite. Over time, and particularly after being acquired by the Fragoso de Barros family in the 17th century, the Chapel of São Pedro underwent significant reforms. It was these interventions, carried out between the 17th and 18th centuries, that gave it its current appearance, with elements harmonizing with the Baroque style of the era.

The Exterior Architecture

The exterior of the chapel stands out for its characteristic facade. It is preceded by a portico with three full arches that invites entry. The facade is crowned by a triangular pediment and a bell tower, flanked by two pyramidal pinnacles. This architectural ensemble reflects the transformations it underwent in the 17th and 18th centuries, giving it a notable presence in its environment.

Artistic Treasures of the Interior

Upon entering the chapel, visitors encounter a space composed of the nave, the main chapel, and the sacristy, each with details deserving attention. The rectangular-plan nave features a barrel vault ceiling divided into sections, decorated with colored stuccoes and scagliolas, and its side elevations display trompe l'oeil pilasters. In its first section, there is a marble holy water font.

The highlight of the visit is, without a doubt, the main chapel. It is preceded by a triumphal arch richly decorated with polychrome stuccoes, where one can observe the tiara and keys of Saint Peter, typical elements of the Rococo style. The vault of the main chapel is entirely covered by fresco mural painting, narrating nine significant moments in the life of Saint Peter. The scenes, captioned in archaic Portuguese, are presented on a dark background, divided into three panels per dividing line. On the side walls of the main chapel, there are also figurative compositions of Saint Apollonia and Saint Amaro. On the floor, the tomb of the foundress and her heirs is marked.

The sacristy also reveals remarkable artistic work. Its vault is ornamented with colored stuccoes, representing the symbolism associated with Saint Peter, such as the papal tiara, the keys, the chains, the rooster, and the fisherman's boat, all enveloped in Baroque lacework. The space includes a cylindrical holy water font and a lavabo, both in marble, with Saint Peter's keys intertwined.

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