Before us stands a place of history. It is a place where faith and folklore intertwine. This is Capela de Santo André. Though no longer standing it once marked a significant spot in Porto.
Capela de Santo André, or what was once Capela de Santo André, held a special place in the city’s heart. In fact the city of Porto once had a square, a lane and a street named after Santo André. The current Rua de Santo André is small. It sits between St. Ildefonso and ends at Poveiros Square.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine the old Largo de Santo André. Here stood Capela de Santo André e Santo Estêvão. It was a small chapel. It even featured a porch or galilee. This chapel wasn’t just a place of worship. It was a landmark.
Before the chapel there was a niche. This niche belonged to Estêvão. He was a stonemason who lived nearby. One day Estêvão transformed his niche. He made it into a chapel. He placed an image of his patron saint Santo Estêvão inside. The chapel then became known as Santo André e Santo Estêvão.
Capela de Santo André became famous for an altarpiece. It evoked the Souls of Purgatory. An old tradition tells a tale. On certain nights the chapel door would open. Souls would emerge in procession. They always returned before dawn.
Sadly Capela de Santo André was demolished in 1863. A drawing from 1856 by Francisco José de Sousa captures its image. A map detail by Joaquim da Costa Lima Júnior from 1839 marks its location. The letter “A” marks the spot of the demolished Capela de Santo André e Santo Estêvão. It was located in today’s Poveiros Square.
Capela de Santo André may be gone. Its story however remains woven into Porto’s history. It reminds us of the faith and traditions that shaped this city. It is a story of stonemasons. It is a story of souls and sacred spaces.