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The chapel located in Branzelo was destroyed by a fire that swept through the region between September 15 and September 19, 2024. The municipal council opted to seek private support to ensure its restoration, which will be marked on Sunday morning, coinciding with the annual celebration honoring Nossa Senhora da Aflio, according to a statement from the local authorities.

The restoration was made possible through a partnership between the Gondomar City Council, the Ismaili Imamat led by Aga Khan through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), the Union of Parishes of Melres and Medas, and the family of the landowner. The project represents an investment of 500,000 euros, with 375,000 euros provided by the Ismaili Imamat, the press release states.

Gondomar was responsible for offering technical support in project development and, during the construction phase, ensured supervision, oversight, and safety coordination, the statement continues.
In collaboration with the family that owns the chapel and the Union of Parishes of Melres and Medas, the municipality also ensured the replacement of the interior assets, including the altar, sacred sculptures, and furniture. Although the chapel is a private space, it will remain open to the community for public use, the statement adds.

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The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Aflio in Branzelo was originally built in 1884 and has long served as a place of worship and community life. It has now been fully rebuilt and returned to the community. The work was carried out as a joint effort of the Gondomar City Council, the Parish Council of Melres e Medas, the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), with support from the Portuguese Government and senior figures of the Catholic Church. The chapel is privately owned by a local family that has granted its use to the community.

"The destruction of the chapel was a deeply felt loss, a painful blow that left a void in our lives and in the lives of the people of Branzelo," said Elvira Duarte, whose family has cared for the chapel since 1952. Read Elvira Duarte's speech.

AKTC, the cultural agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, provided specialist technical expertise, while both AKTC and the Ismaili Imamat contributed direct funding. The restoration followed heritage conservation principles and incorporated modern safety and accessibility features, using traditional materials and artisanal techniques to preserve the chapel's historical character.

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