Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > Viseu > Fragosela > Fragosela de Cima
The Chapel of São Sebastião is located in Fragosela de Cima, a locality in the parish of Fragosela, in the municipality of Viseu. Uniquely positioned halfway up a slope, the chapel stands out in the urban landscape on an artificially created platform. A discreet railed walkway establishes its connection with the main road, offering an elevated perspective over the surrounding streets that develop on a steep incline.
This small religious temple displays a fusion of Mannerist and Baroque styles, a common characteristic of many constructions from its probable period of origin, the 17th century. Its main façade, oriented southwest, is crowned by a bell tower with a perfect arch where the date 1727 can be read, indicating a relevant moment in its history. The modest but carefully crafted construction of granite masonry, plastered white, is finished with pilastered quoins that culminate in pyramidal pinnacles with spheres, giving it a simple but noticeable presence.
Upon crossing the straight-lintel portal, the visitor is welcomed into a unique and harmonious space. The white-walled interior highlights the imposing nature of its gilded main altarpiece, a Baroque work of art dating from the 18th century. This altarpiece features a composition of pilasters and twisted columns ornamented with acanthus leaves, vine scrolls, and figures of angels, culminating in a medallion enveloped by cherubs. In the center, a perfect arch niche houses a tabernacle decorated with the symbolic tree of life.
One of the most notable elements of the interior is the flattened barrel vault ceiling, adorned with painted coffers. These paintings represent a rich hagiographic theme, with a focus on the figures of Apostles and martyr saints, such as Saint Simon, Saint Jude Thaddeus, Saint Bartholomew, Saint James, Saint Apollonia, Saint Anthony, and Saint John the Baptist, inviting a moment of contemplation.
The Chapel of São Sebastião has served continuously as a place of worship since its construction. Its history is linked to the Brotherhood of Souls, whose statutes were reformed in 1686, attesting to the deep devotion and communal role the chapel has played throughout the centuries. Remaining the property of the Catholic Church and with its active religious function, the chapel is a link to the past, a testament to the faith and the traditional cultural identity of the Fragosela region.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.6317923,-7.8632135
Coordinates DMS: 40°37'54.5"N 07°51'47.6"W
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