Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Porto > Vila Nova de Gaia > São Félix da Marinha
Situated in the serene locality of São Félix da Marinha, integrated into the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, the Chapel of São Tomé stands on a slightly elevated platform.
The surrounding environment is marked by rural tranquility, with the chapel flanked by vegetation and the characteristic landscape of the area. This pleasant, walled site with a lawned space in front, is located in an elevated position relative to the main access, offering a peaceful retreat in the parish.
The Chapel of São Tomé exhibits an architecture of simple lines, with its main facade facing east. Its rectangular configuration is composed of a single nave that precedes the chancel, the latter being slightly narrower and lower. The structure also includes a sacristy attached to the north.
The main entrance is sheltered by a small porch, supported by stone columns. Above this porch, an oculus with a quadrilobate frame opens. The main facade culminates in a discreet gable, topped by a bell-cote. The walls are constructed with granite blocks, naturally irregular in appearance.
Inside, the walls are plastered and painted, with the lower part featuring a blue color that contrasts with the white of the upper area. The floor is covered with cement, while the ceilings of the nave and chancel are made of wood, creating a simple and secluded atmosphere.
The choir-loft stands out, supported by a beam. The arch that marks the transition to the chancel features two perfectly round archivolts, the outer one decorated with embossed motifs such as spheres and circles, which are repeated on the imposts. In the chancel, a small opening allows light in, and there is a niche for liturgical implements. The back wall of the chancel displays a wooden structure, painted and with gilded accents, which frames the location of the image of the patron saint São Tomé, presenting religious symbols such as "JHS" and a Maltese cross.
The presence of a religious building dedicated to Saint Thomas at this site dates back, according to records, to the medieval era. The chapel as we know it today largely results from a substantial rebuilding.
Important milestones in its history are engraved in stone on the main facade: the date 1737 marks the aforementioned rebuilding, and 1974 refers to more recent restoration works that contributed to its preservation.
The exterior platform where the chapel is located presents some additional elements of interest. In the surrounding space, one can find a bandstand and a stone cross, typical structures of traditional squares and gathering places.
Next to one of the chapel's facades, archaeological vestiges are also found, pointing to the antiquity of the site, namely the base of an old stone cross and parts of a human-shaped sarcophagus.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.0202862,-8.632277
Coordinates DMS: 41°01'13.0"N 08°37'56.2"W
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