Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > Moimenta da Beira > Arcozelos
The Chapel of Saint Sebastian the Martyr is located in the serene village of Arcozelos, an integral part of the municipality of Moimenta da Beira. Nestled in the tranquil landscape of this region, the chapel offers an authentic glimpse into local life, in an environment that invites reflection and calm, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
This small chapel carries a remarkable history, dating back to the late 16th century. Its main construction is believed to be from 1598, a date that can be observed on a gravestone above the main facade door. One of its most distinctive elements is its bell tower, considered the oldest in the entire municipality of Moimenta da Beira, with a date engraved 1596, which suggests the year in which the cult of Saint Sebastian began at this site.
The Chapel of Saint Sebastian the Martyr presents a simple but characteristic architectural design, composed of a longitudinal nave leading to a narrower chancel. Both parts have gable roofs, giving it a traditional silhouette. Outside, complementing the ensemble, stands a magnificent granite calvary cross and an intriguing rock-cut olive press. This press, with its two cavities, once served as the base for a press, but is popularly associated with an ancient site of public punishment, a gallows, adding a layer of mysticism and legend to the space.
Over the centuries, the Chapel of Saint Sebastian the Martyr has adapted to the needs of the Arcozelos community. In 1990, it underwent an intervention that transformed it into a mortuary chapel, maintaining its function of serving the local population and the memory of their ancestors, continuing to be a reference point for the community.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.9661478,-7.587191
Coordinates DMS: 40°57'58.1"N 07°35'13.9"W