Chapel of Saint Matthew (Alcanadas)

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Batalha > Alcanadas

Location

The Chapel of Saint Matthew is located in the Cela area, a peaceful locality that is part of the Alcanadas parish, in the municipality of Batalha. Situated on Rua de Santo António, the chapel is set in an environment characterized by rural serenity and architecture that reflects local tradition. This setting gives the space an atmosphere of tranquility and simplicity, inviting a moment of contemplation.

Historical and Architectural Journey

The history of the Chapel of Saint Matthew begins in 1517, the year of its original construction. It then featured a structure with a single nave and a chancel. Over the centuries, the building underwent several transformations that shaped it into its current form. Between 1887 and 1948, the chapel underwent significant expansion works, a process that extended over several decades and demonstrates its continuous importance to the community over time.

The Ensemble in the Churchyard

Upon visiting the Chapel of Saint Matthew, one observes that its churchyard, the surrounding walled space, welcomed a new construction in 1980: the Church of Our Lady of Ó. Although more recent, this church was built within the enclosure of the original chapel. This particularity creates an interesting architectural ensemble, where the Chapel of Saint Matthew remains as the oldest and central element, narrating the evolution of places of worship in the region and how they adapted to the growth and needs of the local population.

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