Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Vila Real > Vila Velha
The Chapel of São Brás is located in Vila Velha, the historic heart of the city of Vila Real. Integrated into the oldest urban fabric, its position allows visitors to gain a perception of the locality's origin and evolution, being surrounded by streets and buildings that tell the story of the town's founding.
This small chapel is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city of Vila Real, serving as a valuable testimony to the town's early beginnings. Its construction dates back to the decades following the city's founding, which occurred on January 4, 1289, by order of D. Dinis. It is, therefore, a fundamental landmark for understanding the early history of Vila Real.
From an architectural point of view, the Chapel of São Brás reflects the modesty of the resources available in the community's early years. However, despite its dimensions and constructive simplicity, the chapel is classified as a National Monument, a recognition of its exceptional historical importance for the country. Its interior, with a quadrangular plan, presents a configuration reminiscent of a funerary chapel, with the presence of several arcosolia in the walls.
Inside the Chapel of São Brás, the arcosolia served as the final resting place for some of the most prominent figures of late medieval Vila Real. Among the tombs preserved there, that of João Teixeira de Macedo stands out. He was a notable figure of the Royal Council, who provided important services to D. Afonso V, particularly in campaigns in North Africa. His tomb is one of the most significant elements of the complex, linking the space to an important character in Portuguese history.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.291776,-7.746524
Coordinates DMS: 41°17'30.4"N 07°44'47.5"W
Weather Vila Real
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Real
