St. Anthony's Chapel of Mouraria

St. Anthony's Chapel of Mouraria was built on the grounds of the old Custom House of Funchal, near Rua da Alfândega. It actually sustains the wall opposite the altar on the old staircase leading to the main floor, dated mid-sixteenth century, as shown by the shape of the stone slabs, represented in the map of João Bartolomeu, dated 17th century. The chapel was built by the will of Judge João Aguiar, who would later be buried there. Even today one can read on his gravestone the inscription: Here lies the miserable sinner João Aguiar. Its actual construction dates 1714, having been completed and opened in 1715. The door, with its upholstered pads and iron rivets reveals its authenticity quite possibly being the same since the foundation of the temple. On the left as you enter, one should mention the holy water basin in white marble imported in mid-18th century as well as, on the wall, an oil painting of St. Anthony from an 18th century Portuguese workshop. Outstanding is the altar with national style baroque carvings, of upholstered wood, with traces of painting and gilding. The altar has three niches that support corbels, the center one being more voluminous. It has spiraled columns and straight entablature on the sides and round bow in the middle. This set should be dated by the late 17th century. In the center, on the corbel, is an image of St. Anthony with Child Jesus, of upholstered clay, painted and gilded, dated mid-eighteenth century, by a popular Portuguese workshop. The set is topped off below by a pediment of altar in painted wood imitating rich brocade, with its valance and borders also from the mid-eighteenth century.

Two ceroferary angels were placed along the aisle, made by a Portuguese workshop probably from the northern region, also from the early 18th century. Suspended from the ceiling is a brass chandelier by a Portuguese workshop of mid-century. On the north wall hang a set of canvas paintings representing the Apostles, from a Lisbon workshop from mid to late 18th century. In another show case is a set of sculptures, consisting of a head of Christ from the mid-17th century, a Baby Jesus from a Goan workshop of the late 16th century, beginning of the 17th century, as well as majesty Virgin dated mid 16th century, all in polychrome wood. Beneath the arch of the stairs, on the back wall, an entablature by a Portuguese engraver from the mid-17th century, with its polychrome and gilding original, over a painting of the Baptism of Christ, from the early 18th century.