Chapel of São Frutuoso, Pre-Romanesque chapel in Real, Dume e Semelhe, Portugal
Capela de São Frutuoso is a small chapel in Real, Dume e Semelhe featuring a Greek cross design with rounded apses at each arm. The interior displays three horseshoe-shaped arches and Corinthian capitals, creating a refined and intimate sacred space.
Built between 656 and 665 AD during the Visigothic period, the chapel served as a mausoleum for Bishop Fructuosus of Braga. It was constructed on the site of an earlier Roman temple, marking a transition from pagan to Christian religious use.
The chapel served as a stopping point for medieval pilgrims traveling through Portugal seeking spiritual connection. Local tradition established it as a sacred destination tied to the venerated bishop and his legacy.
Access to the chapel is through the Church of São Francisco in the village. Visitors should plan their visit around worship times or guided tours that are periodically offered at the site.
The chapel is among Portugal's oldest surviving buildings from after the Roman period and blends Visigothic with early medieval architectural styles. This rare combination allows visitors to observe different cultural influences at a single intimate location.
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