Field of Santa Margarida Military Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Santarém > Constância > Santa Margarida da Coutada > Campo Militar de Santa Margarida

Location

The Chapel is located in the vast area of the Santa Margarida Military Field, in the locality of Santa Margarida da Coutada, belonging to the municipality of Constância. It is situated in the most developed part of the Field, near a large grassy area known as Largo de São Jorge, which marks the end of the main structuring avenue of the military urban area. Its location, although within a military perimeter, is set in a predominantly rural and isolated environment, characteristic of the region.

From the highest point of the chapel, namely the bell tower, it is possible to observe the surrounding landscape, which includes the military exercise and training fields extending to the south and southeast of the urban area.

Origin and Purpose

The construction of this chapel began in 1957, integrated into a phase of organization and development of the Santa Margarida Military Training Field. The main objective was to equip the Field with infrastructures that would improve the social, cultural, religious, and sports living conditions of the military personnel serving or transiting there for instruction and training.

The chapel was solemnly inaugurated and consecrated in August 1959, becoming since then a central point for the military community in fulfilling their religious duties. It remains assigned to the Ministry of National Defence, under the responsibility of the Army.

Architecture: A Fusion of Styles

The building features architecture that reflects its construction era, the 20th century, combining characteristics of a regionalist nature with a nationalist expression typical of the 1950s. Its structure is composed of three distinct naves: a central one, taller and more vertical, flanked by two narrower and lower side naves.

The exterior reconciles more traditional inspired elements, such as roofs of different pitches and simple eaves, with details clearly modern for the time, such as the angular protrusions (fins) at the corners, irregularly arranged, and the framing of the openings. Elements reminiscent of Neo-medieval revivalism are also noticeable, such as the robust buttresses clad in rustic stonework on the main facade.

The main facade, facing north, culminates in a pointed gable and is marked by the main portal, with a straight lintel, surmounted by a stonework element similar to a gable, which houses a stone image. Above, a tall opening with a stained-glass window dedicated to Our Lady is pierced. A large iron cross crowns the ensemble, and part of the facade wall is clad with small tiles.

Interior and Artistic Decoration

Upon entering, the central nave impresses with its height and natural light, coming from the clerestory. The ceiling is formed by large panels, while the side naves have ceilings rhythmically structured by wooden beams. The separation between the naves is achieved by pillars that, in their lower part, are clad with small tiles.

The interior is notable for the richness of its tile decoration. The side walls of the chancel and the back wall of the central nave are clad with polychrome tile panels. These panels display varied symbolism, including the insignias of the different branches of the Army, figures of angels, the stylized dove of the Holy Spirit, and Eucharistic motifs. The baptistery, for example, has walls clad in blue tiles with colorful vertical friezes, decorated with scallops and teardrops. The main chapel also features a polychrome tile panel above the altar, with the image of the patron saint.

Other notable interior elements include the choir loft with a solid wood railing, a wooden pulpit in the chancel with an elaborately decorated railing, the wooden screen (separation) in the chancel made of sucupira wood, and urn-shaped marble altars in the side chapels.

Details Created by Military Hands

A detail that highlights the chapel's connection to its community of origin are the wrought-iron lamps that illuminate the interior. These metalwork pieces were executed by the military blacksmiths assigned to the Field themselves, testifying to the skills and artistic contribution of the personnel serving there at the time of construction.

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