Chapel of Saint Bartholomew

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Vila Real > Mondim de Basto > Bilhó > Bairro da Feira

Location

The Chapel of São Bartolomeu is situated in the Bairro da Feira, in the tranquil locality of Bilhó, within the municipality of Mondim de Basto. Located in a rural and isolated setting, beside the national road, the chapel stands on slightly uneven ground. The churchyard, delimited by a stone wall, is accessed by a two-flight staircase, lending the space a sense of elevation and distinction. In the immediate vicinity, one can observe a public laundry house covered by a schist porch, as well as a slab-lined puddle that demonstrates the traditional use of water, elements that reveal the daily life and practices of the local community.

Architecture and History

Dating back to the 18th century, the Chapel of São Bartolomeu is a notable example of the region's 18th-century religious architecture. Its structure, with a longitudinal plan, is composed of a welcoming porch and a single rectangular nave. The main facade, crowned by a gable, displays a straight-lintel portal with an interrupted curved pediment, pinnacles, and a Latin cross, elements that give it a distinctive character. The granite side facades are marked by rectangular windows, with a door on the left facade providing access to the nave.

Over the years, the chapel has benefited from conservation interventions that preserved its essence. In 1992, the facades were cleaned, and in 1996, the altar was gilded, and both the ceiling, the choir-loft, and the staircase were restored. The churchyard, in turn, was arranged in 2010, improving the monument's setting within its space.

Interior and Sacred Art

Inside the Chapel of São Bartolomeu, visitors discover a space that invites introspection. The walls, plastered and painted white, highlight the stone cornice that runs throughout the environment. Notable features include the wooden choir-loft, accessible by a continuous staircase, and the pulpit resting on a granite base. The central point of the interior is the main altar, where a beautiful polychrome carved altarpiece, in late Baroque style, can be admired. This altarpiece houses the venerated images of São Bartolomeu and Nossa Senhora de Lurdes, lending profound spiritual and artistic value to the site.

The 18th-Century Fountain

An element of great interest that complements the chapel complex is the fountain, also from the 18th century, commissioned in 1758. This fountain, with a quadrangular backrest, features pilasters at the corners and a straight cornice finish. At its center, a granite cartouche records the date and authorship of the work, a dedication by Abbot Jozelino to Nossa Senhora da Lapa and São Bartolomeu. Water flows from two gargoyle-shaped spouts, topped by a larger gargoyle enveloped in a shell, discharging into a rectangular tank. It is a testament to the ingenuity and care for water during that period, and an invitation to a moment of rest and contemplation.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt