Chapel of Saint Francis

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Vila Real > Sabrosa > Celeirós > Bairro do Serro

Location

The Chapel of São Francisco is located in Celeirós, in the municipality of Sabrosa, within the Bairro do Serro. This area of the locality is situated on an elevated plateau, offering a privileged perspective over the winding Pinhão River valley. Celeirós, by itself, is one of the recognized wine-producing villages of the Douro, lending a rural and traditional atmosphere to the chapel's surroundings.

Architecture and History

Dating between the 17th and 18th centuries, the Chapel of São Francisco is a remarkable example of Baroque religious architecture in the region. Its construction was driven by Reverend Father Francisco Furtado de Azevedo Sotomayor, a prominent figure of the Royal House, who had it built at his own expense. Completed in 1710, as attested by a visible inscription, the chapel was intended to fulfill the obligations of his family's morgado (entailed estate). The founder, after becoming a widower, became a priest and is buried inside the nave, a detail that deeply links the chapel to the history of his lineage.

Exterior Details

The main façade of the chapel, built in regular stonework, although with a structure reminiscent of the Mannerist style, reveals typically Baroque decorative exuberance. The straight lintel portal is richly ornamented with florets and shells, and a cartouche displays the date 1710. Above, the founder's family coat of arms stands out, exhibiting the arms of Azevedo, Sotomayor, and Pereira, flanked by phytomorphic elements. In the tympanum, a perfect arch niche houses the image of São Francisco, the patron saint of the chapel. At the top of the truncated triangular pediment, a representation of Calvary can be admired, with the figure of Christ on the cross, the Virgin and Saint John, flanked by imposing elements in the shape of flames.

The Interior Splendour

Upon crossing the portal, visitors are enveloped by the artistic richness of the Chapel of São Francisco's interior. The pavement is made of flagstones, while the walls, also in stonework, are covered by a vast collection of mural paintings. These depict architectural landscapes and cartouches adorned with festoons, flowers, and birds, creating a visually dense atmosphere. In the nave, painted wooden panels illustrate scenes from the life of Christ, such as the Flight into Egypt and the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Magi. The polygonal chancel, uncommon in the region, is a true Baroque delight, with painted twisted columns, a gilded altarpiece, and intricate paneling that harmoniously blends with the ceiling paintings, which boast angels and saints in cartouches. This interior environment exemplifies a profound unity among the various decorative arts, making the visit an immersive experience in the sacred art of the era.

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