Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > São João da Pesqueira > Ervedosa do Douro
The Chapel of Santo António is located in the village of Nagozelo do Douro, in the municipality of São João da Pesqueira. Situated in an elevated area, at about 342 meters of altitude, this chapel offers a wide perspective over the slopes of the Douro and the estates that shape the landscape of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro. The chapel's churchyard, delimited by a simple wall, provides a space of tranquility and view, with its main facade oriented towards the village.
Dating back to the 18th century, the Chapel of Santo António is a testament to the religious architecture that developed in this region. As early as 1758, documents from the period mentioned its existence near the village, highlighting its lasting presence in local life. Over the centuries, the building underwent interventions, such as the probable replacement of the main altarpiece at the end of the 19th century and other restoration and maintenance works carried out in the 20th century, which contributed to its conservation.
Characterized by Baroque-style religious architecture, the chapel features a simple longitudinal plan, covered by a gable roof. Its facades, made of plastered and white-painted masonry, display a granite plinth. The pilastered quoins, topped by moulded pinnacles, lend it an aesthetic solidity. The main facade is distinguished by its cut-out gable and its depressed arch portal, adorned with stonework moldings. Flanking the portal are quatrefoil windows, protected by metal grilles.
Inside, the chapel reveals an atmosphere of sobriety and devotion. The walls, plastered and painted white, complement the wooden ceiling in a false barrel vault. The highlight is the main altarpiece, a piece of gilded and polychrome carving, with faux marble, which organizes the space into three axes. Four circular columns, gilded and decorated with geometric ornaments and acanthus leaf capitals, frame the central niche where the image of the patron saint is located. On the sides, older paintings can be observed, possibly from the transition period from Mannerism to Baroque, depicting Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Barbara. The altar, in the shape of an urn, is enriched with floral motifs.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.1705778,-7.5387893
Coordinates DMS: 41°10'14.1"N 07°32'19.6"W
Weather Ervedosa do Douro
On-duty Pharmacy Ervedosa do Douro
