Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > Sernancelhe > Sernancelhe > Centro Cívico
The Chapel of Sernancelhe is located in the heart of the town, specifically in Largo da República, a central and prominent square. This religious building stands out in the urban area, positioned on rocky outcrops that reveal the presence of tombs carved into the stone itself. Its location allows for easy integration into the exploration of Sernancelhe's historic center.
With roots dating back to the 12th century, the Chapel of Sernancelhe is a testament to the region's long history. Its original construction, dated 1172, was associated with the patronage of the Commandery of Malta. Over the centuries, the building underwent various significant interventions and reforms, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the most notable was the construction of its bell tower in 1636, which altered and enriched its silhouette. Since 1939, this site has been classified as a Property of Public Interest, recognizing its patrimonial and cultural value.
The main façade of the Chapel of Sernancelhe is particularly captivating. It features a Romanesque portal with a perfect round arch, composed of three archivolts. The central archivolt stands out with a representation of ten angels with open wings, supported by columns with smooth shafts and capitals decorated with volutes. Flanking the portal are niches with small sculptures representing the Evangelists, Saint Peter, and Saint Paul. The tympanum, though more modern, displays geometric figures and vegetal motifs, surmounted by a quatrefoil oculus. The two-story bell tower has symmetrical openings and is crowned by 18th-century pinnacles, bearing the date 1636 and crosses carved into its granite walls.
The interior of the Chapel reveals a harmonious space, with a main nave and a chancel. A triumphal arch, ogival in shape and richly polychromed, separates the two spaces, displaying patterns of spheres, ropes, herringbone, and checkerboard. On the Gospel side, there is a niche with the baptismal font and a side chapel with a gilded altarpiece and painted coffered ceiling. On the Epistle side, a side chapel houses two gilded altars and an arcosolium with a tomb featuring Gothic characters. The internal walls of the main façade and the sides of the triumphal arch preserve elements of mural painting, adding depth and color to the ambiance. The floors are paved with flagstones, and the ceiling is a two-pitched wooden roof, contributing to an atmosphere of sobriety and historical beauty.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.8981667,-7.4888915
Coordinates DMS: 40°53'53.4"N 07°29'20.0"W
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