Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viana do Castelo > Melgaço > Alvaredo > Charneca
The Chapel of São João is located in the parish of Alvaredo, in the municipality of Melgaço, in the very heart of Alto Minho, specifically in the area known as Charneca. It stands on a small hill, the highest point in the village, giving it a serene and isolated setting, ideal for those seeking a moment of tranquility.
The churchyard that surrounds it is an inviting space, delimited by a wall and with some trees that complement the landscape. Next to the main portal, the cobblestone pavement and the presence of an octagonal bandstand to the east, with a concrete structure, enrich the surrounding area, making it a place for socializing and observation.
The history of the Chapel of São João is deeply rooted in time, with origins dating back to the medieval period. It is not in its original location, having had its journey marked by significant transformations. In 1814, this primitive temple underwent a substantial reconstruction, as documented in an inscription engraved on its main façade.
Later, in 1952, the chapel was relocated from its previous site, Largo do Maninho, to the current Monte de São João. There is a possibility that its original patron saint was Saint Vincent, given that the Parochial Memories of 1758 refer to the existence of a chapel dedicated to this saint in the Maninho area, suggesting a continuity of religious devotion in the region throughout the centuries.
The Chapel of São João displays an architecture of great sobriety, built with the robustness and simplicity characteristic of the region. It features a rectangular plan with a single nave, and a sacristy attached to the right side façade. Its walls are made of exposed granite ashlar, a predominant and expressive material in northern Portugal, which gives the building a solid and timeless appearance.
The main façade, facing south, is notable for its straight lintel portal and a rectangular slit window. Beside the portal, a panel of polychrome tiles depicts Saint John the Baptist as a child, holding a phylactery with the Latin inscription «ECCE AGNUS DEI». In the right corner of the façade, a simple bell tower stands. Inside, the granite walls are highlighted by a dado of blue and white tiles with a phytomorphic pattern, and the ceiling is covered with varnished wood, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The chapel also features a wooden choir loft, accessible by a staircase, and a holy water font beneath the loft.
The Chapel of São João, in Charneca de Alvaredo, is more than a historical building; it is an invitation to contemplation and a re-encounter with tranquility. Its elevated location and the serene environment of the churchyard provide a space for quietude, ideal for a reflective pause during a visit to the Melgaço region. It is a testament to the local faith and tradition, which remains alive through its simple architecture and the details that tell its long history.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 42.0977501,-8.3092343
Coordinates DMS: 42°05'51.9"N 08°18'33.2"W
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