Category: Civil Architecture > House
District: Viseu > Carregal do Sal > Alvarelhos
The Cabris House and Chapel is serenely situated in the locality of Alvarelhos, a civil parish belonging to the municipality of Carregal do Sal, in the heart of the Viseu district. This property is set in a peaceful rural environment, characteristic of the Beira Alta region, where the landscape is dotted with fields and vegetation, inviting observers to experience a calm and traditional way of life. Its location allows for an appreciation of manorial architecture in its original context, far from urban hustle and bustle.
This architectural ensemble, comprising a manor house and its private chapel, is a remarkable example of Portuguese civil architecture. The construction is typically robust, predominantly using local granite, a material that lends lasting solidity and grandeur to the building. The house, with its classic layout, features a façade that may denote characteristics of past centuries, with a volumetric organization reflecting the status of the family who inhabited it. Its openings and proportions contribute to a sober yet expressive aesthetic.
Annexed to the main residence, or very close to it, stands the chapel, an element that underscores the faith and religious life of its former owners. Although more modest in size, the chapel shares many of the house's architectural characteristics, demonstrating harmony within the ensemble. This type of private chapel was common in manor houses, serving for the religious celebrations of the family and their dependents, demonstrating an intimate connection between daily life and devotion.
The Cabris House and Chapel represents an important testament to the built rural heritage of the region. This type of property was once the center of social and economic life for noble or wealthy families, reflecting a power structure and a form of social organization now in disuse. Its presence in Alvarelhos symbolizes the permanence of certain lineages and the importance of land in shaping local identity and power over the centuries. The ensemble materializes a living memory of a manorial way of life, where residence and worship intertwined in the daily routine of the rural elite.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.44990326,-7.99755723
Coordinates DMS: 40°26'59.7"N 07°59'51.2"W
Weather Alvarelhos
On-duty Pharmacy Alvarelhos
