Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Leiria > Castanheira de Pera > Castanheira de Pera
Located on the former Cabeço do Pereiro, in the Serra da Lousã, in the current parish of Castanheira de Pera e Coentral, in the municipality of Castanheira de Pêra.
, The Chapel of Santo António da Neve (Saint Anthony of the Snow) was built in homage to Saint Anthony of Lisbon.
, It was commissioned by Julião Pereira de Castro, neveiro-mor (chief snow supplier) of the royal house, to provide religious support in the production of ice destined for the court.
, Due to its construction, the area became known as Santo António da Neve.
, The chapel was privately owned for many years.
, In 1954, it was acquired by the Municipality of Castanheira de Pêra and is now managed by the Parish Council of Coentral.
, In 1986, the chapel and three old nearby Poços da Neve (Snow Wells) were classified as a Property of Public Interest.
, In addition to the chapel, visitors can explore the Snow Wells, historical structures formerly used to store snow, converting it into ice for use during the summer.
, These sites are testimonies of the ancient method of ice preservation and the historical relevance of this practice for the Portuguese royal court.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_de_Santo_António_da_Neve
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.07868347478627,-8.16195097758287
Coordinates DMS: 40°04'43.3"N 08°09'43.0"W
Weather Castanheira de Pera
On-duty Pharmacy Castanheira de Pera
