Chapel of Our Lady of Help

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Viana do Castelo > Vila Nova de Cerveira > Vila Nova de Cerveira > Vila Nova de Cerveira e Lovelhe

Location

Situated in Mentrestido, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Cerveira, this chapel is located on a hillside, facing east. It enjoys a typical rural landscape of the Alto Minho region, overlooking a tributary of the Coura River. Its churchyard, surrounded by a wall, provides a space for contemplation, with access points that include a semi-circular staircase and adorned pillars.

The chapel's surroundings include areas that host annual celebrations, with bandstands and support spaces for the festivities. Further up the hillside, a stone cross marks the traditional procession route, in a flattened and paved area, surrounded by a metal chain connecting plinths.

History and Devotion

The Chapel of Our Lady of Help is a construction likely dating back to the 18th century, characterized by its traditional religious architecture. Its existence has been documented since 1758, according to parish records of the time.

The chapel's name derives from the devotion to an image of Our Lady of Help, described in old accounts as being of great beauty. This figure, made of polychromed wood, featured a silver mantle and crown, holding the Christ Child on her lap. The image, venerated by the population, was the focus of an important annual festivity, celebrated on September 8th with a high mass, reflecting the community's deep connection to this place of faith.

Architectural Details

The chapel has a single-nave layout, with the sacristy and the belfry attached to the left side. Its predominantly white, plastered façades are punctuated by a moulded cornice. The rear façade, in contrast, reveals the beauty of exposed stonework, topped by a gable crowned with a Latin cross.

On the main façade, facing east, a portal with a straight lintel is visible, flanked by square windows with grilles and topped by a rectangular window. The belfry, integrated into the structure, features a round arch and a pediment with a pinnacle on top. Inside, the single-nave space has a terracotta tile floor and white walls. The curved, varnished wood ceiling contributes to a welcoming atmosphere. The choir loft, built of concrete, has a wooden balustrade and is accessible by a side staircase. The altar, of lacquered and polychrome carved wood, with a throne in a central niche, is the most prominent artistic element, enriching the interior space as a whole.

Atmosphere and Tradition

The atmosphere surrounding the Chapel of Our Lady of Help is one of serene tranquility, typical of the rural landscapes of the Minho region, inviting reflection and contemplation. The walled churchyard, with its access staircase, is a calm space that offers visitors a moment of peace.

This place, with its rural characteristics and the presence of the stone cross on the hillside, evokes the tradition of festivities and pilgrimages. It is a testament to the vitality of religious traditions and the strong community spirit that has always marked the celebrations dedicated to Our Lady of Help in Vila Nova de Cerveira.

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