Chapel of Our Lady of Good Dispatch (Lourinhã)

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Ourém > Calços

Location

Located in the village of Calços, in the municipality of Ourém, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho (Our Lady of Good Dispatch) stands on a slight elevation of land, in a serene and typically rural setting. The site offers an atmosphere of tranquility, with cultivated fields surrounding the building, providing a calm backdrop for visitors. Access to the chapel is via a large forecourt, built on an artificial platform, which is reached by stone steps.

Past and Construction

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho has its roots in the 18th century, having been built in 1731. This temple was designed with a unique floor plan, featuring an octagonal nave (heptagonal on the exterior) and an attached rectangular chancel. Its facades, plastered and painted white, stand out for their sobriety and the presence of granite ashlar plinths, a material also used for the rectilinear frames of the openings and the cornerstones. A small wooden lantern, painted green, crowns the nave, lending a distinctive touch to its silhouette.

Sacred Art in the Interior

Upon entering the chapel, one is transported to an environment where sacred art plays a central role. The simple white walls contrast with the richness of the decorative elements. The nave ceiling, made of painted wood, forms an elaborate paneled octagon, with a central lantern allowing light to enter. The granite ashlar floor incorporates various inscribed tombstones, inviting careful observation. The interior is embellished by remarkable carved wood ornamentation, which extends to the side altarpieces, cornices, and window draperies, many featuring faux marbling that imitates stone.

In the nave, four painted carved altarpieces stand out, depicting moments such as the Visitation, the Annunciation, the Presentation in the Temple, and the Circumcision. The triumphal arch, connecting the nave to the chancel, is wide and adorned with a carved valance and painted panels featuring cherubs and garlands. In the chancel, the faceted ceiling with painted coffers lends depth to the space. The main altarpiece is particularly deep and richly decorated with Joanine carving, containing several niches with scenes from the Passion of Christ and the glorification of the Virgin, a theme reflecting its historical connection with the Dominican Order.

Symbolism and Details

The chapel's ceilings are a true treasure of late Baroque paintings, featuring asymmetrical cartouches and floral festoons. In the nave, these paintings display symbols from the Marian Litanies, such as the Sun, Moon, Tower, Cypress, and Palm Tree, along with the insignia of the Dominicans. In the chancel, the coffers illustrate the instruments of martyrdom. On some side altarpieces, Latin inscriptions can be found, such as "PETITE ET ACCIPIETIS" (Ask and you shall receive) and "QUAERITI ENVENIETIS" (Seek and you shall find), which add a layer of spiritual meaning to the visit.

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