Our Lady of Relief Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Paredes > Lordelo > Monte do Alívio

Location

Located in the town of Lordelo, in the municipality of Paredes, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Alívio (Our Lady of Relief) is situated in a higher area, known as Monte do Alívio (Relief Hill). Its mid-slope position, isolated in a rural setting, lends it an atmosphere of tranquility, far from the hustle and bustle.

Access is facilitated by a public road paved with cobblestones, providing a serene and inviting setting for visitors. The chapel stands as a discreet yet significant landmark in the local landscape.

Architecture and Style

This chapel, built in the 20th century, features religious architecture with sober lines and remarkable simplicity. Of rectangular plan, its structure is predominantly concrete, plastered and painted white, with a prominent plinth running along the facades, giving the building a solid visual base.

The main facade, oriented southeast, is topped by a triangular gable featuring a Latin cross at its apex. The entrance portal is a perfect arch, preceded by three marble steps, and the two-leaf metal door incorporates hammered colored glass that allows soft, colored light into the interior. Inside, the single space is equally refined, with white walls and a blue-painted plinth. The two-panel roof, also in blue tones, complements the chromatic palette. The altar wall features a wide perfect-arch niche, with a blue background and frame, housing the image of the patron saint, Nossa Senhora do Alívio (Our Lady of Relief), on a gilded carving corbel.

A Place of Devotion

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Alívio (Our Lady of Relief) is a place of worship that has maintained its religious function since its construction. The chapel's name, evocative of 'relief', suggests a space of spiritual comfort and serenity for those who seek it, inviting reflection and inner peace.

Annually, the chapel is the central point for celebrations dedicated to its patron saint, which mobilize the community and attract visitors due to their devotional importance. These festivities, although adapted to modern times, keep alive a tradition deeply rooted in the town of Lordelo, emphasizing the continuity of faith and the bond with this sacred space.

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