Capela dos Alfaiates

In the heart of Porto, nestled between Rua do Sol and Rua de São Luíz, stands the Capela dos Alfaiates. This unassuming chapel, also known as the Chapel of Our Lady of August, holds a captivating tale. The Capela dos Alfaiates, despite its modest exterior, boasts a rich history intertwined with the city’s tailors’ guild. Originally built in 1554 near Porto’s Sé Cathedral, the Capela dos Alfaiates served as a testament to the guild’s devotion to their patron saints, São Bom Homem (St. Good Man) and Nossa Senhora de Agosto (Our Lady of August). Its initial construction, however, faced delays. Only the walls were erected in the first eleven years. Bishop Rodrigo Pinheiro, who had granted the land for the chapel, pushed for its completion. He enlisted master builder Manuel Luíz to finish the project. The Capela dos Alfaiates showcases a fascinating blend of architectural styles, marking the transition from late Gothic to Mannerist influences. The chapel’s main portal, flanked by Corinthian columns and topped by a niche with Flemish decoration, embodies this stylistic shift. Inside, a ribbed vault, characteristic of the late Gothic period, soars above the nave. Mannerist ornamentation adorns the vault, hinting at the evolving artistic trends. A semicircular arch, supported by Ionic pilasters, separates the nave from the chancel. The chancel houses a smaller barrel vault, its coffers adding a touch of classicism. The altarpiece, a masterpiece of Mannerist art, further enriches the Capela dos Alfaiates. Eight panels depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, adhering to the iconographic guidelines of the Council of Trent. These panels, likely painted between 1590 and 1600, are attributed to Francisco Correia and his collaborators. They present narratives such as the Annunciation, Adoration of the Shepherds, Adoration of the Magi, and the Assumption of the Virgin. A limestone statue of Our Lady of August, older than the paintings, occupies the center of the altarpiece, revealing Northern European influences. To the right of the altar stands a 17th-century wooden image of São Bom Homem, patron saint of tailors. In 1935, during the opening of the Terreiro da Sé, the original Capela dos Alfaiates was expropriated and demolished. Thankfully, it was meticulously rebuilt in its current location in 1953. The panels depicting the life of the Virgin were also restored around this time by painter Abel de Moura. Today, the Capela dos Alfaiates stands as a National Monument, recognized for its historical and artistic significance. It serves as a reminder of the tailors’ guild’s legacy and a tangible link to Porto’s vibrant past.