Twenty-eight canvases depicting the life and miracles of Saint Anthony. Can you imagine them adorning the ceiling of this very Capela de Santo Antonio de Vilarinho? This unassuming chapel stands before you a testament to faith and history. For centuries the Capela de Santo Antonio de Vilarinho has been a focal point of devotion in this region. Built likely around 1535 it was originally constructed near another chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian.
The devotion to Saint Anthony ran deep. It led to the construction of another chapel dedicated to him in 1732. This one was built by the clergy of the Convent of Sao Francisco. It became known as Santo Antonio da Carreira. The enduring popularity of Saint Anthony is evident in the numerous chapels and churches across the region bearing his name.
The Capela de Santo Antonio de Vilarinho’s greatest period of prosperity came at the end of the 18th century. The local aristocracy took a keen interest. In 1791 the parish priest Padre Antonio Jose Pereira de Brito secured permission to erect stalls around the chapel. The proceeds would go towards the chapel’s upkeep.
A significant contribution came from Dom Luis Antonio de Sousa Botelho Mourao. He was the Morgado de Mateus and steward of the Saint Anthony brotherhood. Returning from Brazil in 1777 he oversaw major renovations. He commissioned twenty-eight paintings in Rome depicting the life of Saint Anthony. These paintings adorned the chapel’s ceiling until its demolition in 1953. The Diocese of Vila Real saved them. You can see them today at their seminary. They’re a beautiful reminder of this chapel’s rich past.
The annual three-day fair held near the Capela de Santo Antonio de Vilarinho was once the largest and most important in the Tras-os-Montes province. It thrived for over four hundred years. This fair’s impact is still visible in the chapel’s current state. The fair’s legacy and the devotion to Saint Anthony have shaped the history of this small but significant chapel. The Capela de Santo Antonio de Vilarinho is much more than just stones and mortar. It reflects a deep-seated faith and the unwavering devotion of a community over centuries.