Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Faro > Monchique > Caldas de Monchique > Caldas
The Chapel of Saint Teresa, also known as the Chapel of Caldas de Monchique, is situated within the picturesque urbanization of Caldas de Monchique. This locality, nestled in the municipality of Monchique, stands out for its mountain setting and proximity to thermal springs. The chapel is harmoniously integrated into the verdant landscape, next to the thermal complex, offering a space of serenity surrounded by the lush nature of the Monchique Mountains.
Access to the chapel is via an inviting forecourt, with a small staircase flanked by vegetation, highlighting its tranquil and secluded position in the village of Caldas.
The Chapel of Saint Teresa, as we see it today, was built in 1940, at the initiative of the entity responsible for operating the thermal resort. However, this site has a religious history dating back centuries, with records of a primitive chapel and even a church built in the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively. The current construction aimed to keep alive the tradition of faith and hospitality for visitors to Caldas.
The project for the modern chapel was entrusted to architect Carlos Rebello de Andrade, with the execution of the work carried out by master builder João Moura, who integrated valuable elements from the previous structure into the new one. This careful transition ensures that the chapel, despite being more recent, preserves a deep connection with its past.
The chapel was designed to organically merge with its surrounding natural environment. Its construction stands out for the use of syenite, a magmatic rock from the region, which gives the building a particular hue and texture, in harmony with the Algarve landscape. On the main facade, facing south, one can observe a portico with a stonework frame and a porch supported by robust pillars and two columns, which precede the entrance to the nave.
A quatrefoil oculus, a distinctive element of the facade, allows natural light to enter, contributing to the welcoming atmosphere of the interior. The roof, with its well-defined slopes, completes the traditional and humble profile of the chapel.
Upon crossing the portal, visitors are greeted by an interior housing pieces of considerable historical and artistic value. The single nave features a wainscoting of 18th-century tiles, in blue and white tones, depicting episodes from the life of Christ, lending visual beauty and depth to the space. These tiles, like the main altarpiece, come from the old 17th-century chapel, enriching the heritage of the current construction.
The main altarpiece, in gilded carving, is a remarkable work, featuring oval paintings depicting scenes from the life of Saint Teresa of Jesus, the reformer of the Carmelite Order, to whom the chapel is consecrated. The ceiling, with its trough-shaped design, complements the richness of the interior with its golden veins, creating an atmosphere of contemplation and reverence.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.2863927,-8.552498
Coordinates DMS: 37°17'11.0"N 08°33'9.0"W
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