There are some things in life that fascinates us with unexplicable intensity. And my fascination made us spend a lot of time in this unique building, considered one of its kind. The Chapel of S. Frutuoso de Montélios was originally built in the 7th century by order of S. Frutuoso, a visigoth monk who dedicated his life to establishing monasteries but chose to live in solitude and contemplation. Later in his life Frutuoso became bishop of Braga and Dume, and the he orders to build a monestery in Montélios, between Dume and Braga, and in it his mausoleum. It is believed that his hispano-visigothic mausoleum is the actual Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios. It is also consensual that there was some reconstrucion in the 9-10th century, in the context of the Reconquista (christian reconquest) led by the Asturian Kingdom against the moors who took part of Hispania in the 8th century. This temple was partially adulterated in the 18th century, what led to a profound restoration in the 20th century. The central body and its dome and also the triple archers and columns (except the ones in the main chapel) are original. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #hispanovisigodo #hispano-visigothic #noroestepeninsular #antiguidadetardia #altaidademedia #earlymiddleages #gallaecia #hispania #architecture #architecturalheritage #heritage #patrimonioarquitectonico #prerromanico #patrimonio #monument #monumento #portugal #braga #capela #chapel #viaromanaxix #montelios #exploring (at Chapel of São Frutuoso)
