Cortegaça Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Cortegaça > Almargem do Bispo, Pêro Pinheiro e Montelavar

Location

The Cortegaça Chapel, in the municipality of Sintra, is located in the village of Cortegaça, an area integrated into the union of parishes of Almargem do Bispo, Pêro Pinheiro, and Montelavar. It is situated in an environment of proximity to the local community.

Origin and First Temple

The history of the Cortegaça Chapel dates back to the existence of an older temple, erected to serve the population living in the area. This primitive place of worship was of modest dimensions, approximately 7.10 meters long by 4.80 meters wide, and had a small sacristy. Inside, a prominent altar-niche housed the image of the patron saint.

Records from the time, such as an inscription engraved on a chalice dated 1877, attest to the use of this temple. Later, a porch was added in front of the main facade, designed to shelter the faithful, especially during the September festivities. A 1911 inventory of goods reveals that this original chapel also featured a choir and a wooden pulpit. Around 1932, the chapel was abandoned, and eventually, its ruins succumbed to the natural effects of time.

The Current Building

In the early 1930s, a new chapter in the religious history of the locality began with the construction of the chapel seen today. This initiative came from the then abbot of Cortegaça, and its construction was undertaken by a regional master builder. Permission for construction was requested in 1931, and the works were solemnly inaugurated in August 1934.

A community benefactor contributed significantly to this project, donating land that allowed for the expansion of the chapel's surrounding area and, additionally, financed the construction of a new sacristy. Since its inauguration, the chapel has become the center of important festivities celebrating local tradition and devotion.

Aesthetics and Symbolism

Over the decades, the Cortegaça Chapel underwent various aesthetic transformations that enriched its facade. In 1964, a resident's initiative led to the placement of two tile panels on the main facade, depicting the images of Saint Marina and Our Lady of Nazaré, to whom the temple is dedicated. A few years later, in 1970, the chapel had its facade fully covered with tiles, and a new porch was also built, providing more shelter for the faithful.

Subsequently, the community organized to raise funds and cover the entire chapel with tiles, a work completed in 1977. Although these tiles are no longer present in the temple, having been replaced by another cladding, the history of their application and removal reflects the community's care and dedication over time. The image of Our Lady of Nazaré, which was transferred from the primitive chapel in 1932, continues to be a central part of annual processions, keeping alive the tradition and faith of the inhabitants.

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