Chapel of Mercy of Amieira do Tejo

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Portalegre > Nisa > Amieira do Tejo > Zona do Castelo

Location

The Chapel of Misericórdia is located in Amieira do Tejo, in the municipality of Nisa, within the area known as Zona do Castelo (Castle Zone). Situated halfway up the hillside and harmoniously integrated into the village's urban fabric, the site is easily accessible, opening onto a paved street. Its position offers an authentic glimpse into the local urban landscape and the quiet streets surrounding it.

History and Heritage

This building, classified as a Monument of Municipal Interest, has its roots in the 16th century, when it was originally built to serve as the church for a Brotherhood of Misericórdia. Over the centuries, the chapel underwent several aesthetic renovations, resulting in a fusion of different architectural styles, from Manueline and Renaissance to Rococo and Neoclassical. In 1642, King John IV granted significant favors to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia, a fact recorded on a plaque on the facade, underscoring the institution's social relevance at the time. Currently, the chapel serves as a mortuary chapel, maintaining a continuous and dignified connection with the local community.

Architectural and Artistic Aspects

On the exterior, the chapel features a main facade with simple lines, facing east, highlighted by a rectilinear granite portal. Above this portal, an inscribed plaque offers valuable testimony to the commitments and legacy of Misericórdia throughout history.

Inside, the single nave surprises with a remarkable Manueline-inspired ribbed vault, adorned with five golden keystones, one of which displays the Cross of Avis. Elements such as a small granite baptismal font and a pulpit, also in granite and wood, enrich the space. The chancel is highlighted by a high altar altarpiece that illustrates the transition of styles, displaying the Rococo delicacy of shell and "bat-wing" motifs, harmonized with the simplicity of Neoclassical lines, all executed in painted and gilded wood imitating marble, in shades of blue and sand.

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