Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Vila Real > Valpaços > Água Revés e Crasto
Situated in the tranquil locality of Água Revés e Crasto, in the municipality of Valpaços, the Chapel of São Caetano is located in a predominantly rural area. Its architecture peculiarly integrates into the street front, adapting to the natural slope of the terrain. It is a distinctive element within the cluster of houses, flanked by high schist walls that delimit the property where it is inserted.
The history of this chapel dates back to the 17th century, a period when it is estimated to have been originally built. However, a significant moment in its chronology occurred in 1737, when the Chapel of São Caetano was relocated and attached to Casa Mariz Sarmento, a local noble house. This architectural union, which remains to this day, was supervised by Manuel de Mariz Sarmento, the chapel's administrator at the time, as attested by visible inscriptions inside. This change lends it a historical uniqueness, intrinsically linking it to the region's residential heritage.
The Chapel of São Caetano presents a fascinating dialogue between the Mannerist and Baroque styles, which is particularly evident in its main facade. It contrasts with the simplicity of the house to which it is connected, revealing a more elaborate treatment. We observe pilastered quoins, crowned by pinnacles, and an interrupted pediment that frames the portal. Above the entrance, a family coat of arms stands out, meticulously carved in granite, displaying heraldic elements of the Mariz, Taveira, Sarmento, and Sampaio families, surmounted by a lion holding a scallop shell. The right side facade houses a small bell tower, in the form of a templet, which contains the bell, adding a picturesque touch to the ensemble.
Upon entering, visitors encounter a single nave, whose plastered walls painted white create a serene atmosphere. The barrel-vaulted ceiling and granite slab flooring lend sobriety. Laterally to the axial portal, there are two semicircular and fluted holy water fonts. On the Gospel side, a wooden door, with traces of paint, connects to the old dwelling. At the top of the nave, a wooden high choir rises, protected by a lattice guard. The most notable element of the interior is the Baroque altarpiece, of gilded and polychrome carving, which develops along three axes, defined by pseudo-Solomonic columns profusely decorated with floral motifs and figures of angels, culminating in an attic richly ornamented with vegetal and shell elements.
The cultural and historical importance of the Chapel of São Caetano is officially recognized. The site is classified as a Monument of Public Interest, a designation that underscores its patrimonial and architectural value within the context of the Trás-os-Montes region. This classification, granted in 2012, ensures its protection and enhancement, making it a point of interest for those who appreciate history and religious art in Portugal.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.5565189,-7.3505893
Coordinates DMS: 41°33'23.5"N 07°21'2.1"W
Weather Água Revés e Crasto
On-duty Pharmacy Água Revés e Crasto
