Chapel of Saint Dominic

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Viseu > Armamar > Fontelo > Escadaria de São Domingos

Location

In the municipality of Armamar, in the picturesque locality of Fontelo, stands the Chapel of São Domingos. Situated on the flattened top of a rocky hill, also known as the São Domingos Staircase, this chapel is isolated and rural, located at an altitude of approximately 730 meters, right in the heart of the Alto Douro Wine Region. Its spacious, walled churchyard serves as an extraordinary natural viewpoint. From there, the view extends over a vast expanse of landscapes, reaching lands of various municipalities and districts, offering a breathtaking panorama of the Douro river and the imposing Serra do Marão mountain range. One can also observe, close up, the granite outcrop on which the chapel is founded, a striking natural element in the surroundings.

A Millennial Legacy

The Chapel of São Domingos is not only a place of worship but also a meeting point with history and popular belief. Its origin dates back to a very ancient period, with the cult of Saint Dominic replacing a Roman temple dedicated to a fertility goddess. The chapel itself rests on a granite outcrop, considered since time immemorial a propitiatory stone, associated with fertility. This tradition of blessings and intercessions is so ancient that visits by monarchs such as D. Afonso V and D. João II, who came here to ask for progeny, are recorded. Such a legacy explains the various construction phases the chapel experienced throughout the centuries.

Traces of Multiple Eras

The architecture of the Chapel of São Domingos is a living testament to the different eras that shaped this sacred space. It presents a remarkable fusion of styles, from its original Romanesque structure to Gothic, Manueline, Mannerist, and, later, Baroque elements. On the exterior, the granite ashlar facades stand out, with cornices resting on prominent decorated stones, some with vegetal and geometric motifs. The main portal, with a pointed arch, boasts several archivolts with rich vegetal decoration and Manueline symbols, including the national coat of arms. Inside, with a rectangular plan, three naves are distinguished, resulting from 17th-century interventions, divided by Tuscan columns and with a wooden ceiling. The triumphal arch also features a pointed arch with abundant ornamentation. The 18th-century bell tower adds a Baroque touch to the overall composition.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt