Saint Peter's Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Portalegre > Alter do Chão > Seda

Location

The Chapel of Saint Peter stands on the slope of Seda, a small village in the municipality of Alter do Chão. Surrounded by olive groves and agricultural fields, it is located next to a rural path where a paved track leads to its main door.

From the top of the slope, the Alentejo plain can be seen, dotted with cork oaks and holm oaks, giving the chapel a tranquil setting dominated by the rural landscape.

Origin and Historical Value

This modestly designed chapel probably dates back to the late Baroque period, when small hermitages dedicated to popular saints proliferated. Its simple layout and triangular gable reflect the religious functionality for local communities.

Inside, the main altar preserves traces of carved wood and discreet paintings, testifying to the worship of Saint Peter over several generations.

Aesthetics and Landscape

With its whitewashed walls and ochre-yellow highlights on the cornice and base, the chapel stands out in the rugged landscape. The perfect round-arch portal, flanked by a small circular window, gives it a simple charm.

The cross on the pediment and the two traditional ceramic tile courses complete the ensemble, balancing constructive tradition and simplicity. Modern equipment, such as air conditioning units on the side facade, reveal recent interventions for adaptation to community uses.

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