Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte de Lima > Refóios do Lima > Pé de Outeiro
The Chapel of Santa Eulália is located in the tranquil area of Pé de Outeiro, belonging to the locality of Refóios do Lima, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima. Situated in a walled churchyard, slightly elevated and isolated, the chapel offers a serene atmosphere. From this point, one can enjoy a broad panorama over the surrounding landscape, including a beautiful view of the historic Refóios Convent.
This chapel is a notable example of Romanesque religious architecture, with its construction likely dating from the late 13th century. It represents an interesting phase of Portuguese Romanesque, especially visible in the Alto Minho region, where a subtle transition to the Gothic style is already detectable. It is characterized by a single-nave plan and a lower, quadrangular chancel, a distinctive feature of this period.
On the exterior, attention is drawn to the full-arch portal with fluting and a decorated archivolt. One of the most curious and artistic elements are the historiated corbels that support the cornice. These small sculptures feature a diversity of motifs, from bull, wolf, and ram heads, to other exotic animals, and even human forms in different expressions, attesting to the richness of local Romanesque art and its influence in the region.
Upon entering the chapel, visitors encounter an interior that reflects artistic evolution over the centuries. The ceiling, crafted in wood in the trough-shaped style, forms a series of coffers that lend depth to the space. The chancel houses a Mannerist-style gilded altarpiece, while the side altars in the nave display the exuberance of Rococo, also in gilded wood carving, which harmoniously connect to the triumphal arch.
One of the most striking historical features is the arcosolium, a funerary niche on the Gospel side. Within it, an inscription indicates the date 1430, marking the work of Abbot Estevão, whose connection to the Order of Aviz is suggested by a fleur-de-lis cross on the lid. The space is complemented by a choir-loft supported by corbels, the baptismal font, a wooden panel depicting Saint Sebastian, and a square pulpit.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.79691,-8.548678
Coordinates DMS: 41°47'48.9"N 08°32'55.2"W
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