Category: Religious Architecture > Place of Worship
District: Vila Real > Peso da Régua > Galafura > Galafura e Covelinhas
The Chapel of São Leonardo stands on the summit of Monte de São Leonardo, in the locality of Galafura, which belongs to the Union of Parishes of Galafura and Covelinhas, in the municipality of Peso da Régua. Situated at an altitude of about 640 meters, this chapel is in a strategic location offering a wide perspective of the region. The site is surrounded by rocky formations and wild vegetation, including holm oaks, mimosas, and strawberry trees, elements that compose the unique Douro landscape.
The precinct where the chapel is located is a well-arranged space, with granite benches and a protective wall made of blocks of the same rock, inviting rest and contemplation of the surroundings.
This mount is notable for its breathtaking view over the Douro River. From there, the gaze encompasses picturesque villages, vineyards, and the terraced vineyards that sculpt the slopes and banks of the river, creating a scene that inspires admiration. The serenity of the Douro waters in the background complements the grandeur of the landscape, making it a privileged place to appreciate the natural and humanized beauty of the region.
It was this very landscape that Miguel Torga, one of the greatest Portuguese writers, described as "an excess of nature," highlighting its overwhelming magnitude and the feeling of being before a universe in constant transformation and harmony.
The Chapel of São Leonardo features simple and vernacular religious architecture. It is a single-volume building with a gabled roof, whose plastered and white-painted facades contrast with granite elements, such as the main door frame and window sills. Above the portal, a granite cartouche bears the date 1924, likely referring to a reconstruction.
On the rear facade, a granite image of São Leonardo faces the river, symbolizing the saint's connection to the territory. São Leonardo is venerated as the patron saint of prisoners, women in labor, blacksmiths, and locksmiths, giving particular meaning to this place of worship.
Monte de São Leonardo is inseparable from the work of Miguel Torga, who found inspiration for his writing in this place. In recognition of this deep connection, the chapel precinct displays ceramic tile panels with excerpts from the author's poems. These poetic verses offer a literary interpretation of the landscape, inviting visitors to reflect on the grandeur and essence of the Douro, as perceived by the writer.
The history of Monte de São Leonardo goes beyond the chapel itself. On the site, there are traces of Roman mines, from which flint and quartz were extracted, indicating a very ancient human presence and exploitation on this mount. These remains highlight the long interaction of man with this territory, long before the construction of the chapel, whose oldest documentary records date back to 1758, already describing it as a hermitage of "diminutive work."
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.172746716667, -7.6722445333333
Coordinates DMS: 41°10'21.9"N 07°40'20.1"W
On-duty Pharmacy Galafura
