Chapel of Santa Clara
Exploring the land as soon as we took over the property we found the rubble of a building. In conversation with older residents, we discovered that it was a chapel, which, according to them, was quite active in the past, the stage for various religious festivals and stops for pilgrims on their way to Aparecida, among other activities. As part of the Santa Clara Farm, we deduced it was the Santa Clara Chapel, we then started a series of researches on rural chapels and the analysis of the debris, aiming the reconstruction of this monument.
George Gütlich was in charge of the project, which resulted in a series of drawings and plans and Carmen Sapede was the patron of the reconstruction.
The search for the right materials and ornaments was a case apart, colonial tile, flag, windows, etc, but we had the impression that there was a conspiracy of the universe helping us, because everything appeared at the right time. In the search for a bell, we ended up meeting an unusual foundry: Sinos Angeli, with almost 250 years of tradition, coming from Italy is in Brazil for over 120 years.
Another incredible case was the image of our Patron Saint, in a trip to Cariri I met a very good carver who worked in the Cultural Centre Mestre Noza and Juazeiro do Norte (CE). Trying to locate him I ended up finding another sculptor, known as Panta. Sculpted in cedar with a baroque polychrome technique, using Armenian cake and rabbit glue to apply the gold leaf, which is then burnished. The mantle is all sgraffito. In short, an actual Baroque piece. Besides Saint Clare, Panta also sculpted a beautiful image of Saint Eloi, patron saint of engravers (and jewellers).
To await our beloved Patroness, two important works were carried out by George: the fresco on the altarpiece and the tile panel under the altarpiece.
Set in a wood, our little chapel is the ideal place for reflection, prayer or simply to be silent and seek inspiration.