Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Vila Real > Chaves > Vale de Anta > Granjinha
Situated in the serene village of Granjinha, which is part of the parish of Vale de Anta, in the municipality of Chaves, this chapel is integrated into a rural environment characteristic of Trás-os-Montes. Located in the center of the small settlement, it is surrounded by traditional dwellings and agricultural fields, offering an authentic and tranquil setting. It is important to note that the area where the chapel stands has been a site of continuous human occupation since Antiquity, built upon the remains of an ancient Roman villa.
The Chapel of Granjinha is recognized as the oldest church in the Chaves region, bearing witness to centuries of history and devotion. Its origins date back to a remote past, with archaeological excavations on site revealing the presence of a Roman villa, linked to the road that connected the ancient cities of Bracara Augusta (Braga) and Aquae Flaviae (Chaves).
Evidence of this Roman occupation was discovered, such as mosaic fragments, column bases, and ceramic pieces. The continuity of settlement through the High Middle Ages is also evident, with traces of medieval necropolises found inside the chapel. The construction of the temple we observe today likely occurred in the early or late 13th century, rising over this complex tapestry of historical occupation. Some studies suggest that the site housed a primitive Visigothic chapel, with the current main arch echoing symbolisms from that ancient era.
This small chapel, although of modest dimensions, stands out for its beauty and robustness, being entirely built of granite. Its Romanesque style is visible in its simple and sober design. The rectangular plan features a nave and a chancel of similar length, distinguished internally by the narrower width of the chancel and the triumphal arch. Externally, the chapel appears as an almost single volume, highlighting the solidity of its construction.
The main façade is particularly noteworthy, with a portal framed by two archivolts displaying confronted animal figures, reminiscent of Braga models. The capitals supporting these archivolts are adorned with zoomorphic and vegetal motifs, and a niche, next to the north-side capital, reveals a small face, a touch of local inspiration. Above the façade, a simple bell-gable with a single opening and a pierced cross on the chancel gable complete the building's silhouette. Due to its historical and architectural value, the Chapel of Granjinha has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1971.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.729038,-7.491145
Coordinates DMS: 41°43'44.5"N 07°29'28.1"W
Weather Vale de Anta
On-duty Pharmacy Vale de Anta
