Description of the attraction
The Chapel of San Gonzalo, or as it is also called the Chapel de San Gonzalino, or San Gonzalo de Amarante, is located in the Vera Cruz area. The chapel was built in 1714 and is dedicated to Gonzalo, a saint who healed bone diseases and helped resolve family problems.
Born in the early 12th century, Gonzalo de Amarante was a Portuguese priest and hermit until he became a Dominican monk. It is worth noting that the Dominican Order was one of the first mendicant orders whose members took a vow of poverty. Gonzalo de Amarante died in the city of Amarante, therefore "Amarante" is added to his name. The saint is buried in the chapel of the monastery, which was named after him in Amaranta, and is also the most revered saint in this city. In 1560, Pope Pius IV canonized Gonzalo de Amarante.
The chapel was built from limestone brought from the Ansan area, Coimbra. There is a niche above the entrance to the chapel, which is decorated with a statue of Saint Gonzalo. Inside there are altars from the 18th century.
There are even the so-called Saint Gonzalo biscuits - "bolos de San Gonzalo", which are considered a symbol of fertility. The cookies are baked for a feast in honor of this saint and have a phallic shape, although there is still controversy over the connection between the cookies and the name of Saint Gonzalo. On this day, residents go out into the street in national costumes, participate in the procession and exchange these cookies.
In Aveiro, the Saint Gonçalo Festival takes place on 10 January. Also, the population takes to the streets in national costumes, exchange cookies, and inside the chapel of San Gonzalo a ritual dance is performed by a group of men - "dansa dos mancos".
In 2003, the chapel was included in the list of monuments of public importance.
