Chapel of Saint Amaro

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Santo Amaro

Location

The Chapel of Santo Amaro stands in the Santo Amaro area of Alcântara, a historic neighborhood in the capital. Situated on a hilltop, this chapel offers an unobstructed view of the city and the vast Tagus River estuary. Access to its atrium is via an imposing staircase, inviting a tranquil ascent to this elevated point.

Historical Memory and Singular Architecture

Built in 1549, the Chapel of Santo Amaro stands out as one of Lisbon's oldest and most architecturally peculiar monuments. Its design is attributed to Diogo de Torralva, a prominent figure in Portuguese Renaissance architecture. The chapel features a rare centralized, circular plan, topped by a dome, a design uncommon for the period and which gives it a distinctive appearance.

However, the history of the site dates back to an earlier small hermitage, which already existed since 1542 and was incorporated into the current structure. Over the centuries, the building underwent several phases, even being used for less noble purposes during the 20th century, before being reopened for worship, thus recovering its original function and heritage value.

Artistic Richness

One of the most notable elements of the Chapel of Santo Amaro is its galilé, a semicircular portico that precedes the main body. This space is covered by a ribbed vault, whose keystones display symbols alluding to Saint Amaro, such as arms and legs, representing the patron saint of body parts.

The walls of the galilé and part of the interior are entirely covered with stunning polychrome tile panels, dating from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. These tiles, in a late Mannerist style, feature rich ornamental compositions, with winged cherubs, grotesque motifs, birds, and fruits, set within decorative cartouches that also highlight the saint's attributes. Inside, the main altar houses a gilded and blue carved altarpiece, and the sacristy preserves oil paintings narrating the life of Saint Amaro.

Devotion and Popular Tradition

Dedicated to Saint Amaro, the chapel has historically been a place of deep devotion. Legends about its foundation link it to both friars of the Order of Christ, pilgrims who supposedly sought a place of mysticism here, and to Galician sailors who were saved from a shipwreck in the Tagus River and promised to build a temple in gratitude.

In the past, the chapel was the central point of the famous "Romaria dos Pinhões" (Pilgrimage of the Pine Nuts), a large popular festival held in January that attracted many devotees and curious onlookers, celebrating faith and community life. Although times have changed, the legacy of these celebrations endures, and the place continues to be a landmark of identity and tradition for the community of Lisbon.

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