Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Setúbal > Palmela > Quinta do Anjo > Cabanas
The Chapel of São Gonçalo is serenely integrated into the rural landscape of Cabanas, a locality in the parish of Quinta do Anjo, in the municipality of Palmela. Situated on a flat plain, the chapel is surrounded by a calm and isolated atmosphere, with the presence of large cork oaks and stone pines. Its position, facing a road junction and close to the historic Quinta da Torre, provides a setting that evokes its ancient connection to country life and local traditions.
Dating probably from the 16th century, the Chapel of São Gonçalo is a small pilgrimage temple, deeply connected to the region's history. Its foundation was driven by the Marquises of Minas, former owners of the nearby Quinta da Torre. This rural place of worship is symbolically associated with the protection of livestock, a function reflected in the chapel's architectural configuration itself, particularly through its porch, which is believed to have been used to shelter flocks. Its historical and cultural importance was formally recognized with its classification as a Property of Municipal Interest in 2002.
The architecture of the Chapel of São Gonçalo stands out for its originality. It features a centralized and hexagonal plan, an uncommon shape in Portugal, with only two other similar examples existing in the country. Its exterior, characterized by the simplicity of its whitewashed walls and the smallness of its openings, gains particular interest from the presence of a hypostyle porch. This structure, supported by full arches and basket-handle arches on pillars, creates a covered space that extends laterally, delimited by low walls with benches. This architectural design gives the building a robust and unique appearance.
Upon entering the Chapel of São Gonçalo, visitors encounter an interior space of great simplicity, illuminated by small windows and oval oculi. The main highlight is the altar frontal, covered with polychrome majolica tiles, dating from the third quarter of the 17th century. This artistic panel displays vegetal motifs and a central medallion with the image of Saint Gonçalo. On the altar, a small niche with the image of the patron saint can be observed. Another element of historical interest is the tombstone, which bears the inscription "SA DE MADANE / LADIAS 1620", a testament to the antiquity and memory of the place.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.5498214,-8.9813541
Coordinates DMS: 38°32'59.4"N 08°58'52.9"W
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