House, Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, Chapel of the Terrenho Tower Manor or Brasis Manor

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Guarda > Trancoso > Torre do Terrenho

Discovery of the Baroque Turret

- Upon arriving at Torre do Terrenho, you'll be confronted by an impressive 18th-century turret nestled among the trees.

- Known as Solar dos Brasis or Casa das Fidalgas, it's a magnificent testament to the Luso-Brazilian pomp of the early 18th century.

Chapel of Our Lady of Penha

- Adjacent to the house, the charming Chapel of Our Lady of Penha de França, built in granite, stands out.

- Erected by Luís de Figueiredo Monterroyo, captain of the Navy and procurator of the royal fifths in the gold mines in 1726-27.

- The chapel is an exuberant example of the Baroque style, with representations of Our Lady in apotheosis and decorations influenced by Sertanejo tropicalism.

Curious History of the Chapel

- Luís de Figueiredo promised to build the chapel after escaping a strong storm off the coast of Bahia (Brazil) in 1703, saving his life and his daughter's.

- The interior of the chapel displays a splendid ceiling, highlighting the figure of Luís de Monterroyo observing from the parapet of the triumphal arch.

Interesting Details in the Solar

- In the solar, the ceiling of the turret is a true marvel, featuring the coat of arms of the Monterroyos, exuberant flowers, and a hagiographic gallery.

- Four seraphim-caryatids with headdresses of Brazilian Indians support the ceiling, while cherubim-heralds complement the spectacle.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:Torre_de_Terrenho_-_Portugal_(4812629103).jpg

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