Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Azambuja > Alcoentre

Location:

The Chapel of St. Mary stands next to the cluster of Alcoentre, in the municipality of Azambuja, on a slight elevation that gives it ample visibility over the surrounding landscape. Access is via rural paths, surrounded by agricultural fields and small plots of cork and olive trees.

Its isolated position allows the building to be contemplated in a tranquil atmosphere, where the birdsong and the rustling of leaves accompany the view of the white facade highlighted by blue friezes.

Origin and historical value

Although written records are scarce, everything indicates that the chapel was built between the 17th and 18th centuries, a time when small churches with simple lines but great community significance were spreading in Ribatejo. Over the centuries, it served as a religious meeting point for the inhabitants of Alcoentre and its surroundings.

This temple reflects the local devotion to Our Lady, serving as a testament to the region's rural religious heritage. Its discreet but constant presence reinforces the cultural and spiritual legacy that spans generations.

Aesthetics and conservation

The chapel features a single nave with a triangular gable, topped by a sundial painted on the pediment. Beside it, a small, sober-silhouetted bell tower rises. The white and blue palette evokes the popular Ribatejo style, simple yet harmonious.

Despite the charm of the ensemble, it is noticeable that the exterior coatings require intervention; the paint is worn, and some cracks indicate infiltrations. A consolidation of the plasterwork and a new coat of whitewash would be desirable to restore the chapel's original freshness without compromising its authenticity.

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