Seven Corners Chapel

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Vila Real > Peso da Régua > Remostias > Urbanização S. Domingos

Location

The Chapel of the 7 Corners is located in Remostias, a quieter and more rural area within the municipality of Peso da Régua. Situated in a countryside setting, it offers a serene atmosphere and a certain isolation, ideal for those seeking a place of history and quietude away from the hustle and bustle. Its location, once connected to a farm estate and manor house, allows one to glimpse the type of property it served in the past.

Its Singular Architecture

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Chapel of the 7 Corners is its centralized hexagonal plan, an architectural feature uncommon in the region. Built between the 17th and 18th centuries, it reflects the proto-Baroque style, notable for the sobriety of its ornamentation and the linearity of its main portal.

The chapel exhibits remarkable stonework on its walls, both externally and internally. On the main facade, attention is drawn to the portal, flanked by pilasters and topped by a coat of arms, which recalls the noble family that commissioned its construction. Details such as the gargoyles on the corners and the triple cornices contribute to the building's beauty and originality.

Marks of History

The Chapel of the 7 Corners, also known as the Chapel of Our Lady of Exile (Nossa Senhora do Desterro), is a testament to the region's history, erected between the 17th and 18th centuries. This religious edifice was, in its time, integrated into a walled estate that included a manor house, remnants of a past of great importance for the local nobility. Inside, traces of floral painting and the structure that would have housed the main altarpiece invite imagination of its original use.

The coat of arms on the main facade is not just a decorative element, but a symbol of the chapel's connection to a specific family, the Guedes and Osório, who shaped its destiny over the centuries. It is a stop for those who appreciate the historical and social dimension of monuments.

The Recognition of its Beauty

The architectural and historical relevance of the Chapel of the 7 Corners was recognized in 2010 with an Honorable Mention in the Douro Architecture Prize. This distinction reflects the uniqueness of its proto-Baroque design and the importance of its conservation.

The building's restoration allowed for the preservation of its original features and the remarkable stonework that characterizes it. For visitors, this chapel represents a point of interest where history and art meet, offering an authentic glimpse into the heritage of Peso da Régua.

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