Nazarene chapel, Baroque chapel in old town Pontevedra, Spain
The Nazarene Chapel is a baroque church building in Pontevedra's old town featuring granite walls topped with wooden framing and Galician tiles. It sits along Duque de Tetuán Street, positioned across from the Principal Theatre.
The building was originally constructed in the 14th century as the Chapel of the Emparedadas, serving as a home for religious women who lived confined within its walls with minimal outside contact. Its baroque appearance came from remodeling in later centuries.
The chapel houses a three-part baroque altarpiece with Jesus the Nazarene at its center, flanked by depictions of the Virgin and Child on either side. This arrangement reflects the traditional composition of religious artworks from that period.
The chapel opens only on the first Friday of March, when visitors come to make three specific wishes about health, employment, and love. Plan your visit for this day and arrive early to avoid crowds.
The structure contains large medieval stone blocks from an ancient pazo belonging to the Mendiño family, revealing its deeper connection to Pontevedra's history. These incorporated stones show how the building expanded and evolved across centuries.
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