Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão, Visigothic chapel in Sé, Portugal.
The Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão is a Romanesque church with three naves separated by rounded arches resting on Corinthian capitals decorated with plant motifs. The interior features a stone baptismal font carved with scenes of the Last Supper and Crucifixion.
The chapel was built during the Visigothic period in the 7th century and was renovated in the 10th century as the region was repopulated. These rebuilding efforts show how the site regained importance after population shifts occurred.
The interior holds a wooden altar carved with gold leaf and Gothic tombs that reveal how this place served as a burial site for centuries. The decorations show the reverence believers held for this sacred spot.
The chapel sits about 3 kilometers northeast of Lamego and is best reached on foot via a path through a village. The route goes downhill and connects several small chapels together, allowing the visit to be part of a longer walk.
Beneath the current building lie remains of a Roman villa, and inscriptions from the time of Emperor Claudius were found in the foundations. These archaeological finds show the site held importance thousands of years ago.
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