Royal Palace, or Palace of Passages

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Évora > Vendas Novas > Vendas Novas > Bairro Doutor Luis Manuel da Silva Viana de Sá

Location

The Royal Palace, also known as Palácio das Passagens, is located in Vendas Novas, specifically in the area that today corresponds to the Bairro Doutor Luis Manuel da Silva Viana de Sá. The prominent structure, namely its Royal Chapel, is currently integrated into the area of the Escola Prática de Artilharia (Practical School of Artillery), in the municipality of Vendas Novas.

Origin and Royal Legacy

The history of this site dates back to the 18th century, with the construction of the Royal Chapel, commissioned by King D. João V, probably in 1728. Its main purpose was to offer a space for spiritual comfort to the royal family and their guests during their stays at the Palácio das Passagens. This chapel played a significant role in the life of the local community, serving as Vendas Novas' mother church between 1843 and 1969.

Layout and Architectural Details

The Royal Chapel of Palácio das Passagens features a remarkably simple layout, believed to be by the architect Custódio Vieira, constituting an example of the palatine architecture of the era. On its main facade, a small niche stands out, housing an image of Saint Anthony, a piece thought to have been brought from an older chapel. Inside, the space is organized into a single nave, complemented by the main altar, a baptistery, the royal oratory, and the sacristy.

Art and Interior Decoration

The interior of the Royal Chapel reveals rich artistic expressiveness. The back of the main altar is covered by a barrel vault, adorned with Joanine-style paintings, where figures believed to represent the four evangelists can be observed, surrounded by garlands and medallions with Latin inscriptions. The chapel walls are covered by a continuous wainscoting of blue and white tiles, approximately 1.80 meters high. Most of these figurative panels date from 1750, with the exception of one representing Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillery, which was added in 1972. On the altar, two notable images are found: one of Our Lady of Conception, in polychrome wood, from the late 17th century, and another of Saint Barbara, incorporated when the chapel passed into military domain.

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