Chapel of Saint Lawrence

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Tomar > Póvoa > São Lourenço

Location

Situated in the São Lourenço area, in the locality of Póvoa, in the municipality of Tomar, the Chapel of São Lourenço marks the southern entrance to the city. The site benefits from a serene setting, next to the right bank of the Nabão River. The small square where the chapel stands, adorned with large trees, such as cypresses, offers a peaceful environment conducive to a pause, harmonizing with the surrounding natural and urban landscape.

A Chapter of Portuguese History

The Chapel of São Lourenço, dedicated to its patron saint, was built in the early 16th century. Its importance lies in commemorating a pivotal event in Portuguese history: the meeting of the troops of D. João I and the Constable D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, on August 10, 1385, the day of Saint Lawrence, a few days before the famous Battle of Aljubarrota. This location, where royal forges and a bridge over the Nabão River once existed, witnessed the union of forces that would ensure the kingdom's independence.

Architecture and Tiles

Architecturally, the chapel exhibits traces of the Manueline style, evident in its portal, with its chamfered edges and cut-out decoration, suggesting a small canopied arch. The interior, of welcoming dimensions, is covered with high tile wainscoting that captivates the eye. In the nave, checkered patterns in green and white predominate. In the chancel, two levels of tiles are found: in the lower part, Hispano-Moorish patterns stand out, while the upper section displays an attractive checkered pattern in blue and white. These ceramic elements, some of which came from the demolished Chapel of São Miguel, lend a particular atmosphere to the space.

The Exterior Commemorative Ensemble

Outside, the area surrounding the chapel functions as a commemorative ensemble of its historical connection. Here, there is a tile panel, produced in 1948, which illustrates the symbolic meeting of the Master of Avis with D. Nuno Álvares Pereira. Beside it, stands the Padrão de D. João I, a stone pillar which, along with the chapel, was recognized as a National Monument in 1921. Almost opposite, the Fonte de São Lourenço completes this scene, which, like the chapel and the pillar, perpetuates the memory of that military encounter of great national significance.

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