Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel
District: Viseu > Mangualde > Mangualde > Zona do Castelo
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Castelo majestically rises atop a hill in the Castle Zone, in Mangualde. Its elevated position offers panoramic views over the surrounding landscape, extending to the Serra da Estrela. This secluded spot, once occupied by an ancient castle, provides an environment of tranquility and contemplation, framed by a natural setting of great beauty.
This remarkable sanctuary, classified as a Monument of Public Interest, is a landmark in Mangualde with roots dating back to the 14th century. It was then that a primitive temple was erected on the site of a pre-Roman fortress, giving rise to the name "do Castelo" (of the Castle). Over the centuries, the sanctuary grew in importance, becoming a center of pilgrimage. Its history is also marked by visits from the Portuguese Royal Family, such as those of King D. Luís I and Queen D. Maria Pia in 1882, and Queen D. Amélia in 1896, whose memories are engraved on plaques on the facade. Inside, it is possible to observe several ex-votos, testimonies of the deep popular devotion to Nossa Senhora do Castelo and the miracles attributed to her over time.
The chapel, in its current configuration, presents a harmonious combination of Baroque and Neoclassical styles, resulting from interventions in the 18th and 19th centuries. The main facade stands out for its imposing crenellated tower, which rises vertically and reaches approximately 38 meters in height. This tower, characteristic of constructions from the Viseu region of the time, confers a striking verticality to the building. Inside, the false barrel vaults are adorned with Neoclassical stuccoes in shades of white over sky blue, with an imperial crown and the monogram "AM" at the center. The main and side altars, as well as the pulpit, reveal rich carved work, painted in white and gold, exemplifying the Neoclassical taste. In the Session Room, it is still possible to observe a baseboard of 17th-century pattern tiles, reused from the original chapel.
One of the most emblematic elements of the sanctuary is its monumental granite staircase, which leads visitors from the foot of the hill to the chapel. This devotional path is punctuated by seven landings and four square-plan chapels with pyramidal roofs, artistically integrated into the staircase. Each of these small chapels is covered with Rococo tiles that narrate significant steps in the Virgin's life, such as the Conception, Incarnation, Visitation, and Assumption. The ascent via the staircase is not only a path of faith but also a rich visual experience, culminating in the arrival at the main chapel, offering progressively wider views over the surrounding landscape.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.612484,-7.7432991
Coordinates DMS: 40°36'44.9"N 07°44'35.9"W
Weather Mangualde
On-duty Pharmacy Mangualde
