Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Leiria > Porto de Mós > Zambujal de Alcaria > Alvados e Alcaria
The Chapel of Saint Sylvester is serenely located in Zambujal de Alcaria, a picturesque village that is part of the parish of Alvados e Alcaria, in the municipality of Porto de Mós. Situated in an area characterized by tranquility and the essence of rural villages, the chapel offers a setting that invites a moment of pause and appreciation.
The history of the Chapel of Saint Sylvester dates back to the 17th century, with its initial construction dated to around 1633. Although it was originally dedicated to Saint Anthony, popular devotion later led the chapel to be invoked to Saint Sylvester, its current patron saint.
One of the most unique aspects of its history is the slab with a 1667 inscription, located above the door. This slab records the devotion of Mel Carvalho, who ordered the hermitage to be built, ensuring the continuous lighting of the "holy house" lamp and mentioning indulgences for those who took communion on Saint Sylvester's Day or on the Day of the Invention of the Cross. According to local tradition, the donor was a sailor who fulfilled a promise made at sea.
Over time, the lands that once belonged to the chapel were sold by D. Manuel de Aguiar, Bishop of Leiria, and the value obtained was used for the construction of the city's hospital, a fact that links this small temple to an important social legacy in the region.
The Chapel of Saint Sylvester, which began as a modest structure, was expanded and adapted over the centuries. One of the first significant interventions occurred in 1868, when the annex for the sacristy, the choir, and the porch were built. Later, in 1977, the chapel underwent restoration and expansion, receiving a notable bell tower with two bronze bells and a clock, which altered its original profile.
The bell tower was later clad in stone in 2005, and the chapel's windows were enriched with decorative paintings by Rodrigo Emanuel Henriques de Sousa, adding an artistic touch to the space. Inside, the chapel houses several valuable images, notably the wooden sculpture of the Good Jesus of the Wounds (Bom Jesus das Chagas), considered a magnificent work of sacred art, and the image of Saint Sylvester. Also present are the images of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Livramento.
The Chapel of Saint Sylvester is the stage for one of the most deeply rooted local traditions: the annual feast in honor of Saint Sylvester, celebrated on the first of January each year. A central moment of this festivity is the traditional blessing of cattle, which occurs after the animals circle the local cross three times. This secular practice reflects the belief in divine protection against evils that could affect the herds.
At night, the celebration continues with the traditional outdoor bonfire. Fueled by large tree roots, this bonfire serves to warm the usual cold environment of the season and, above all, to keep alive a tradition that brings the community together, strengthening bonds of devotion and sharing.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.5726885,-8.7955736
Coordinates DMS: 39°34'21.7"N 08°47'44.1"W
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