Chapel of Saint Elizabeth of Aragon

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Leiria > Leiria > Monte Real > Paço da Rainha Santa

Location

The Chapel of Queen Saint Isabel is located in the upper part of Monte Real, Leiria municipality, integrated into the area known as Paço da Rainha Santa (Queen Saint's Palace). Its placement stands out atop a hill, offering visitors an unobstructed view over the vast fields of the Lis River valley. The location is peaceful, with the building surrounded by vegetation, and access is via a staircase, which invites a calm ascent to the chapel.

Royal and Constructive Legacy

The history of the Chapel of Queen Saint Isabel is deeply intertwined with the origins of the locality of Monte Real itself. Historical documents indicate that King Dinis founded the settlement in 1292. Later, in 1300, Queen Saint Isabel, a venerated figure and Lady of Leiria and its territories, traditionally ordered the construction of the Royal Palace (Paços Reais) on this site.

The chapel, as it stands today, was erected in 1605, notably within the ruins of the old Royal Palace (Paços Reais). This late construction had a specific purpose: the Bishop of Leiria, D. Martim Afonso Mexia, intended to secure the religious use of the space, preventing the ruins from being appropriated for the construction of a new private palace. The building is, therefore, a testament to the transformations and disputes over the centuries, which have shaped its identity and use to this day, remaining a place of worship.

Architecture and Interior Environment

The Chapel of Queen Saint Isabel is an element of religious architecture, revealing features dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries, although it is set within the remaining medieval structures of the old Royal Palace (Paços Reais). Its rectangular plan integrates into a larger complex, with the frontispiece standing out, attached to one of the palace walls, featuring an angular gable top and a bell-gable rising above the battlements.

Inside, the chapel features a single nave, inviting contemplation. The floor is paved with flagstones, and the wooden ceiling is divided into three planes, contributing to a simple and reverent atmosphere. A triumphal arch frames the passage to the chancel, where the main altar is located, housing the image of the patron saint. Natural light is provided by windows in the nave and the chancel. On the nave floor, it is possible to observe tombstones dating from the 19th century, adding a layer of memory and history to the space.

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