Chapel of Saint Sebastian

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Faro > Tavira > Tavira > Santa Maria e Santiago

Location

The Chapel of São Sebastião is located in the parish of Santiago, in the city of Tavira, near the Atalaia Barracks.

History

The construction date of the chapel is not precise, but there are records of its existence since 1723. It is believed that the sacristy is what remains of the original chapel, with simpler decoration compared to the rest of the chapel.

Reconstruction

In 1745, the chapel underwent a reconstruction carried out by stonemasons Diogo Tavares de Ataíde and Manuel Aleixo, which cost 600$000 réis. The carpentry work was awarded to Jacinto Pacheco, from Tavira, for the amount of 580$000 réis.

Art

In 1759, with the income from the land of the Fair of S. Sebastião reverting to the Brotherhood of the Church of S. Sebastião, it was possible to commission the painter Diogo Magina to paint the main altarpiece, in addition to ten panels representing scenes from the life of the Saint and two upholstered torch-bearing angels next to the chancel arch. The chapel has an exuberant Baroque decoration, with faux marble on the walls and paintings along the single nave.

Heritage Value

The chapel was considered a "Property of municipal value" on 29-09-1977. In 1993, it was closed and in a state of abandonment, being restored only in 2007. Currently, the chapel is used as a musical auditorium and is open for tourist visits.

Highlight

The chapel houses a series of ten paintings that depict the life of Saint Sebastian, being considered the most complete pictorial recreation about the Saint in Portuguese art.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_de_São_Sebastião_(Tavira)

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