Palatine Chapel

One should, first of all, mind the entrance to the Chapel where there is a set of columns made of marble. It is said – although there is no documentary proof – that they belonged originally to the Salah ben Salah Palace in Ceuta and were brought in 1415, by Afonso, 1st Duke of Bragança, who had participated in the conquest of the African city.

Over the door there is a copy of what is supposed to be the Coat of Arms of the Dukes of Bragança, which was recreated in the 1950’s by the Sculptor Teixeira Lopes.

When the restoration of the Ducal Palace began in the 1930’s, the walls, the window, the door and the staircase were still intact and in place in the Chapel. However, the windows no longer had the original stained glass nor the other contents of the Chapel. Therefore, it was decided that it should be rebuilt and furnished accordingly as a typical Chapel from the 15th century. The Architect Mário Barbosa Ferreira was commissioned to design the carpentry works that presently decorate the Chapel – the altar and the altar, the balconies, the chairs, the balustrade of the choir and pews – were all designed and produced in 1959 in chestnut wood.

The stained-glass – created by António Lino – represent, on the left-hand side in the first window Afonso, 1st Duke of Bragança, Afonso Henriques, 1st king of Portugal and Constança de Noronha, 1st Duchess of Bragança. Also on the upper part, there is Saint Anthony, Jesus Christ and Francis of Assisi. On the second window (right-hand side), the following are represented: Philippa of Lancaster, King João I and Nuno Álvares Pereira; and in the upper part: Saint George, Saint Marie of Guimarães and Saint James.

On the sidewalls, one may see two 19th century copies of Italian paintings: one by Raphael (“Transfiguration”, 1518-1520) and the other by Domenico Zampiere (“Last Communion of St. Jerome”, 1614).

A set of four pieces of furniture may also be seen – a chest, a trunk, a bench and a base – all made using an interpretation of elements originating from the Gothic (chest, trunk, and bench) and Renaissance period (the base), which help us to appreciate and admire the quality of the craftsmen of those periods.