Whispers of history echo within these walls. This is the Capela Românica do Assento a jewel nestled within Porto’s heart. Its Romanesque origins date back to the first half of the 12th century. Construction continued into the early 13th century. This remarkable chapel boasts a facade that whispers of bygone eras. The towers and the breathtaking rose window are testaments to its Romanesque heritage. The three naves covered by barrel vaults also speak to this era. The central nave’s vault is supported by flying buttresses a pioneering architectural feat for Portugal. The Porto Cathedral one of the first buildings to use this technique is a testament to its innovation.
The Capela Românica do Assento’s story doesn’t end there. The Gothic period left its indelible mark around 1333. The funerary chapel of João Gordo a knight of the Order of Hospitallers and a collaborator of King Dinis was erected. João Gordo lies in state within a tomb. The cloister also dates from the Gothic period. Built between the 14th and 15th centuries during the reign of King João I it adds another layer to the chapel’s history. King João I’s marriage to Philippa of Lancaster took place in Porto Cathedral in 1387 a significant event for the city.
The Baroque period further embellished the Capela Românica do Assento. Around 1736 the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni added a stunning Baroque gallery to the side facade. Around 1772 a new Baroque portal replaced the original Romanesque one. The balustrades and domes of the towers also bear the Baroque stamp.
Within the Capela Românica do Assento lies a magnificent silver altar. Built in the second half of the 17th century by several Portuguese artists it’s a true masterpiece. During the Napoleonic invasion in 1807 a hastily constructed plaster wall miraculously saved this treasure from the French troops. The medieval image of Our Lady of Vandoma Porto’s patron saint is also housed here. It adds to the chapel’s religious significance.
In the 17th century the original Romanesque chancel an architectural marvel with an ambulatory was replaced by a larger Baroque one. The main altar built between 1727 and 1729 showcases Johannine Baroque. Santos Pacheco designed it and Miguel Francisco da Silva sculpted it. Nasoni’s masterful mural paintings further enhance the main chapel’s beauty. The south transept leads to the 14th-century cloisters and the Chapel of S Vicente. A graceful 18th-century staircase designed by Nasoni leads to the upper floors. The Capela Românica do Assento truly stands as a testament to centuries of architectural and artistic evolution. It’s a must-see on your Porto journey a silent storyteller of times gone by.