Chapel of São Mamede de Janas

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Janas > São Mamede

Location

The Chapel of São Mamede stands on a sand dune, in the São Mamede urbanisation, in Janas, within the municipality of Sintra. Its elevated position, approximately one kilometre from the main locality of Janas, offers a unique setting, between the imposing landscape of the Sintra Mountains and the vastness of the ocean. The surrounding terrain is also of particular interest, as various archaeological discoveries, including Roman materials, have been found there, suggesting a long history of occupation and worship in this area.

Architecture and Uniqueness

This 16th-century religious building stands out for its unusual architecture. The chapel has a predominantly circular floor plan, whitewashed, giving it a distinct appearance. A notable feature is the portico that surrounds about half of its perimeter, providing a sheltered space. The other half of the structure is reinforced by robust buttresses. Inside, the uniqueness is further emphasised by a circular construction in the centre, sometimes referred to as a "podium," supported by six smooth columns that rise to the ceiling. This detail, along with the pulpit and the wax ex-votos depicting animals, contributes to the atmosphere and history of the site.

A Millennial and Festive Legacy

The Chapel of São Mamede de Janas is a place of deep cultural and historical resonance, classified as a Property of Public Interest. It is believed that the site may have been built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Diana, the goddess protector of animals. This ancestral connection endures in the traditions that are still celebrated today. Annually, on August 17th, the chapel is the heart of a very ancient pilgrimage, which culminates in the traditional Blessing of the Cattle. During this ceremony, animals, such as horses and other domestic animals, make three circuits around the chapel counter-clockwise, in a practice that dates back to times when animals actually entered the temple, as is believed to have happened in the ancient sanctuaries of Diana. This festivity is a vibrant testimony to the connection between Man, nature, and faith, perpetuated over the centuries.

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