Chapel of Saint Sebastian

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Sintra > São João das Lampas > São João das Lampas e Terrugem

Location

The Chapel of São Sebastião is located in the Union of Parishes of São João das Lampas and Terrugem, specifically in the village of São João das Lampas, within the municipality of Sintra. It is conveniently positioned by the roadside connecting Sintra to Ericeira, offering an accessible and visible point of interest for those exploring the region. Surrounded by a spacious, paved churchyard with cedar flowerbeds and an old cruzeiro (stone cross), the chapel provides a calm environment and invites contemplative pause.

Historical Roots

The roots of the Chapel of São Sebastião delve into the Late Middle Ages, with its beginnings associated with a formal request from the inhabitants of Terrugem to the Archbishop of Lisbon in 1426. The objective was to have a closer hermitage, with a baptistery and chaplain, to avoid the long and sometimes arduous journeys to the church of Santa Maria de Sintra, which was then the parish seat. Although this document marks a starting point, the architectural elements preserved in the chapel suggest that its construction or a significant reconstruction intervention occurred during the transition to the 16th century, reflecting the Manueline style of the period.

Manueline Features and Interior Details

The Chapel of São Sebastião, despite its modest size, reveals remarkable architectural characteristics that make it unique. With a longitudinal plan, featuring a rectangular nave and a quadrangular chancel, it stands out for the presence of purely Manueline elements, a style that marked the period of its construction or reconstruction in the early 16th century. Its triumphal arch, connecting the nave to the altar, is richly decorated with vegetal motifs, intertwined stems, and rosettes, showcasing the refinement of the era. The chancel vault, in particular, is a fascinating example of the poly-ribbed combados technique, culminating in a central boss symbolizing the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. On the altar, one can still observe the original frontal, adorned with Hispano-Moresque patterned tiles, a piece of great historical and artistic value.

A Restored Legacy

The Chapel of São Sebastião faced periods of deterioration throughout its history, having been found in ruins at the beginning of the 20th century. However, from the mid-1950s onwards, extensive restoration and consolidation work was undertaken. These meticulous interventions allowed for the recovery of the building's structural integrity, including the reconstruction of the roof and the consolidation of the triumphal arch. The interiors were also carefully restored, highlighting their original paintings and arrangements. The recovery of this space not only safeguarded a valuable testament to local religious heritage but also returned to the community and visitors a place of interest and beauty, a witness to centuries of history.

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