Arroios Chapel

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Arroios > Cabana

Location

The Chapel of Arroios is located in the town of Arroios, municipality of Vila Real, in a predominantly rural area. Situated between the residential nucleus of Arroios and the place of Couto, in a small square, the chapel is surrounded by some buildings and cultivated fields. This position grants it a serene environment and a harmonious integration into the landscape, inviting contemplation and enjoyment of the tranquility of the countryside.

A Historical Legacy

Built in the 18th century, the Chapel of Arroios, also known as the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, has a history intrinsically linked to the institution of the Morgado de Arroios, established in 1691. For centuries, this temple was a private place of worship and a burial site for the influential Coelho family and their descendants, playing a central role in their lives and traditions. Its ownership passed through several generations of nobles, including the Counts of Margaride, until it was donated to the Arroios Parish Council in 1988, marking its transition to public domain. In 1993, the chapel was recognized as a Property of Public Interest, emphasizing its patrimonial value.

Rococo Style and Aesthetics

The Chapel of Arroios is a notable example of 18th-century Rococo religious architecture. The main facade, facing southwest, features an elegant design, rhythmicized by pilasters with Corinthian capitals. Its counter-curved gable is profusely decorated with shell motifs and displays a coat of arms that evokes the noble lineages that built and maintained it. Elements such as the tall flaming urns and urns on raised plinths accentuate the building's verticality, giving it a distinct presence and an artistic expression characteristic of the era.

Artistic Details of the Interior

Upon entering the chapel, one discovers a unique space that reveals rich artistic expression. The false barrel vault in stucco, covering the interior, contributes to its particular atmosphere. Noteworthy elements include the carved wood (talha), such as the pierced balustrade of the choir loft, which features an elaborate composition of shell motifs and phytomorphic patterns. The pulpit, with its polychrome carving in white and gold tones, and the Rococo main altarpiece, with its false spiraled columns and pilasters imitating green and beige marble, demonstrate the mastery of the artists of the time. The presence of a lavabo with a gargoyle in the sacristy adds a singular touch to the ensemble.

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