Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viana do Castelo > Valença > Valença > Valença, Cristelo Covo e Arão
The Chapel of Souls is located in a small square of granite cobblestones, in a secluded corner of the Cristelo Covo and Arão urbanization, in Valença. Surrounded by traditional-style houses and a generously canopied tree, it naturally blends into the public space.
The site offers a discreet stopping point, where calm and the presence of nature provide a serene atmosphere, in contrast to the pace of the adjacent street.
Erected in granite stone, this small chapel dates back to the popular Baroque style, probably from the 18th or 19th century. It was intended to provide spiritual solace to travelers and local residents, along a path that ran beside the village defenses.
Over the years, it has maintained its function as a place of devotion, preserving the tradition of being a point of tribute to "souls" and offerings, as its name indicates.
On the exterior, the undulating gable stands out, topped by a stone cross and flanked by four urn-shaped pinnacles. The green painted wooden doors open to a simple interior, where a sacred image dressed in purple rests.
The square's ground and the chapel's threshold are made of granite cubes, creating a dialogue with the facade's material. The light filtering through the tree canopy projects soft shadows, highlighting the sculpted reliefs and lending a contemplative air to the ensemble.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 42.0289925,-8.6447301
Coordinates DMS: 42°01'44.4"N 08°38'41.0"W
Weather Valença
On-duty Pharmacy Valença
