Our Lady of Nazaré Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Cascais > Cascais > Cascais e Estoril

Location

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré is located in Cascais, integrated into the urban and historical area of the town. It is situated at Rua Latino Coelho, number 8, adjacent to what was once the old manor of the Falcão family. Its position within the urban fabric of Cascais allows for a tranquil experience, far from the bustle of the more frequented areas, offering a glimpse into local history.

Historical Notes

The construction of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré dates back to 1713, establishing itself as a notable 18th-century building in Cascais. This chapel was intrinsically linked to the Falcão family, particularly to Captain António Falcão Pereira and his wife, D. Antónia da Silva, serving as their private chapel and, for a period, as their family burial site. It represents one of the few surviving examples of a noble residence from that era in the locality, marking its importance in the town's heritage.

Art and Architectural Detail

The exterior of the chapel features a facade with sober lines, with a prominent straight portal, topped by a voluted pediment and a rectangular window. The bell tower, with its pedimented summit interrupted by a cross, echoes the aesthetic of the portal, lending a unique harmony to the ensemble. The contrast is evident upon entering the interior space, where the exterior simplicity gives way to a remarkable decorative richness.

Inside, the main highlight is the blue and white tile panels, attributed to the renowned cycle of the Great Masters of Portuguese tilework, with authorship pointed to António de Oliveira Bernardes, executed around 1715. The chapel, composed of a nave and chancel, with a choir and pulpit, maintains a notable decorative unity, where painting, wood carving, and tiles complement each other. The wall paintings, imitating marbling, further enrich the atmosphere. The iconography of the tiles favors the invocation of the chapel, depicting miracles of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, while other themes, such as the figures of the four prophets in the subchoir (IACOB, IVDAS, ABRAHAM, ISAC), complete the artistic and symbolic ensemble.

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