Chapel of São Gonçalinho

The chapel of São Gonçalinho, in Aveiro

The chapel of São Gonçalinho is the small religious building of the Beira Mar district, dedicated to the patron saint of Aveiro. The Aveiro audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this baroque chapel of the eighteenth century, of hexagonal form and crowned with a dome of blue and white tiles, set on a calçada portuguesa in the shape of waves, and at the heart of the popular festivals of São Gonçalinho in January.

History

Gracefully set in the middle of a calçada portuguesa, whose mosaic of stones draws waves, the chapel of São Gonçalinho is the religious building of the Beira Mar district. Of hexagonal form and crowned with a dome of blue and white tiles, it was built in the eighteenth century under the invocation of Saint Gonçalo, the patron saint of the city, known for his talents of matchmaker and venerated for his gifts of healer, notably of bone diseases. To honour him, the inhabitants of Beira Mar dedicate to him each year celebrations, on the Sunday closest to 10 January. Among the rituals, you can attend the Entrega do ramo, the handing over of the sacred bouquet to the mordomos, organisers of the following edition, or the Dança dos Mancos, a circle dance performed by men feigning to limp to popular songs. The most emblematic moment remains the throwing of the cavacas from the balcony of the chapel: several kilos of these dry Portuguese cakes, based on egg whites and flour, are thrown to the crowd. You will visit this place of prayer with respect.

What to see

Here you admire, with respect, a hexagonal baroque chapel of the eighteenth century, crowned with a dome of blue and white tiles, dedicated to Saint Gonçalo, patron of Aveiro and healer; each January, the Beira Mar district celebrates there the festivals of São Gonçalinho, with the Dança dos Mancos and the throwing of the cavacas. The chapel of São Gonçalinho is a place of prayer and tradition, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The chapel of São Gonçalinho stands in the heart of the Beira Mar district, in Aveiro, reachable on foot. It is a place of worship, whose access is made in respect and contemplation; the festivals of São Gonçalinho take place in January, and the hours of visit vary. It is best to enquire before coming.

What is celebrated at the chapel of São Gonçalinho of Aveiro?

Here are celebrated each January the festivals of São Gonçalinho, in honour of Saint Gonçalo, patron of Aveiro venerated as a healer; on the Sunday closest to 10 January, the Beira Mar district practises the Entrega do ramo, the Dança dos Mancos and the throwing of the cavacas, these dry cakes thrown to the crowd from the balcony of the hexagonal baroque chapel.

Where is the chapel of São Gonçalinho in Aveiro?

In the heart of the Beira Mar district, in Aveiro, in Portugal.