Capela das Almas on Rua de Santa Catarina
Photographed from the intersection of Rua de Santa Catarina and Rua Fernandes Tomás, this corner view of Capela das Almas (also known as Capela de Santa Catarina) shows both its main façade and lateral wall covered with beautiful blue-and-white azulejo tiles. The panels depict episodes from the lives of St. Catherine and the Franciscan friar St. Francis of Assisi — not because the chapel was founded with two joint patrons, but because its iconography reflects two distinct threads of its history: its original dedication to St. Catherine, and the Franciscan brotherhood that later merged into it.
A wooden chapel dedicated to St. Catherine existed at this location in the 18th century. Later, the Brotherhood of the Souls and the Wounds of Saint Francis moved here from the Monastery of Santa Clara and became associated with the existing chapel, which is why the tile program on the exterior came to honor both saints together. The present building is generally dated to the 18th century as well, though sources vary on exactly when construction took place; its exterior walls originally lacked the elaborate tile decoration seen today.
The blue-and-white azulejos covering the exterior were added in 1929. Designed by Eduardo Leite and manufactured by Fábrica de Cerâmica Viúva Lamego in Lisbon, the tilework was modeled on the classic blue-and-white Portuguese azulejo style of the 18th century.
As seen in the image, the main façade and the right lateral wall are almost completely covered with azulejos. The main wooden entrance is flanked by large azulejo panels: the tilework on the left depicts St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, while that on the right depicts the Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine. The extensive lateral wall continues the narrative with additional episodes from their lives.
Within the pediment above the entrance is an emblem combining symbols associated with St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine. Attached to the left side of the façade is the bell tower, which is also covered with blue-and-white tiles. Unlike the narrative panels elsewhere on the chapel, these are primarily decorative, incorporating cherubs, floral motifs, and ornamental patterns.
Explore more about Capela das Almas
– Capela das Almas: Azulejo-Covered Façade and Lateral Wall
– Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina: Official Plaque Placed by Porto City Council
Life of St. Francis of Assisi
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Embracing Christ on the Cross
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Before Pope Honorius III
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Performs the Miracle of the Spring
– Capela das Almas: The Death of St. Francis of Assisi
Life of St. Catherine of Alexandria
– Capela das Almas: The Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine
– Capela das Almas: The Martyrdom of St. Catherine of Alexandria
– Capela das Almas: Debate, Victory, and Martyrdom — The Story of St. Catherine
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