Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > Mangualde > Cervães > Aldeia Nova
Situated in the tranquility of Aldeia Nova, in the locality of Cervães, municipality of Mangualde, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Cervães rises on a gentle plateau. Its surroundings are characterized by a picturesque rural landscape, dominated by vineyards, expanses of pine trees, olive groves, and fruit trees. The isolated and serene location offers a spacious walled churchyard, punctuated by long benches, which invites a moment of quietude. From the churchyard, one can enjoy a wide view over the region, reaching even a significant part of the imposing Serra da Estrela mountain range, providing a naturally beautiful setting.
The history of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Cervães dates back to the 15th century, when, according to tradition, an image of the Virgin appeared in Mata das Cervas, leading to the construction of a hermitage on the site. The building we see today, although rooted in earlier constructions, was founded in 1660 and underwent significant interventions throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. These works gave it its current appearance, being recognized as a Property of Public Interest since 2002, which underlines its patrimonial and artistic relevance in the national context.
The chapel features predominantly Baroque architecture, built of granite masonry. The main façade is oriented, standing out for its rectangular portal with a salient molding, flanked by pilasters displaying vases with pomegranates, and by two rectangular windows. Above the portal, a conch-shaped baldachin niche houses an image of Our Lady with the Child. The façade is topped by a pediment of chained volutes, surmounted by stone elements and a cross. To the right, a quadrangular bell tower complements the ensemble. Access to the churchyard is via a remarkable two-flight stone staircase, adorned with voluted handrails and pyramidal pinnacles, inviting contemplation of its well-maintained and imposing exterior.
Upon entering the chapel, visitors are greeted by a single-nave space, whose granite slab floor draws the eye to art elements of great value. The nave ceiling, in particular, is one of the highlights, composed of 49 painted panels representing scenes from the Old Testament, the life of the Virgin, and Christ, in a composition that significantly enriches the atmosphere. The pulpit, in white and gilded carving, features rich vegetal decoration. The triumphal arch preceding the chancel is clad in luxuriant white and gilded carving, with volutes, acanthus leaves, berries, pinecones, and birds. The side altars and the magnificent main altarpiece, the latter with pseudo-Solomonic columns and profuse decoration of birds and cherubs, display the mastery of Beira carving from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, making the interior of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Cervães a true treasure of sacred art.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.5847554,-7.6990438
Coordinates DMS: 40°35'5.1"N 07°41'56.6"W
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