Chapel of Saint Anthony

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Vila Real > Montalegre > Ferral > Nogueiró

Location

The Chapel of Santo António is situated in Nogueiró, an area that is part of the locality of Ferral, in the municipality of Montalegre. Set within the distinctive landscape of Barroso, this place offers a perspective of the tranquility and natural beauty of the Trás-os-Montes interior. The surroundings are marked by a rural environment, typical of the region, inviting a moment of serenity.

A Legacy of Faith and Tradition

This chapel is the stage for an ancient and striking tradition linked to Saint Anthony, revered as the patron saint of animals. On the day of his feast, local communities converged on this spot, bringing their herds (cows, goats, sheep, and pigs) with them. This gesture symbolized the quest for the protection and healing of the animals, in a ritual known as the Livestock Novena. It is a remarkable expression of the deep connection between popular faith and the region's agrarian life.

Cultural Testimony

The Chapel of Santo António transcends its religious function to establish itself as an important cultural and historical testimony. The place invites reflection on the practices and beliefs that shaped the lives of past generations in Montalegre. It allows one to understand how faith intertwined with daily rural life and the dependence on livestock for family sustenance, revealing an essential part of the local identity.

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