Portal-chapel of San Gregorio
Explore the Portal-chapel of San Gregorio in Beceite, an architectural gem from the 14th century that has witnessed the history and traditions of the town. Discover its Gothic past and the charming chapel that crowns it.
History of the gateway of Beceite
This ancient gateway is the historic entrance to the town of Beceite, which has borne different names throughout its history, including “Bassàit” during the Arab period and “Bezeyt” in the Christian era, from the 8th century to the 14th. The road connecting Beceite to Valderrobres passed through places such as Collet de les Forques, la Font del Pas and Els Estiradors before reaching this gateway.
It is believed that this gateway was remodelled in the first half of the 14th century, becoming a pointed arch in the Gothic style, crowned at its keystone by a shield bearing an inverted crescent moon belonging to Pedro López de Luna (1314-1345), first archbishop of Zaragoza and lord of Beceite and other surrounding villages that came under the archbishopric of Zaragoza.
Did you know why this 14th-century gateway has the shape of an elbow?
The entrance towards the calle Llana has an elbow shape, a design that reinforces its defensive function, making it difficult both to see what lies inside and for troops in formation to advance from outside into the town.
Do you know the traditions of the chapel of San Gregorio?
Above the gateway stands the 18th-century chapel of San Gregorio, whose feast day falls on 9 May. In the past, during the feast of the Rosario, gozos were traditionally sung to San Gregorio, and children with small bells would alert their neighbours to join the Rosario by singing popular songs for the occasion. On that same day, a Mass and a procession were held, reaching as far as the huerta Mayor, where blessings were given against plagues, especially the plague of locusts. Beceite preserves most of the gateways that followed the old alignment of the 16th-century walls, including the Portal de Vilanova, that of Sant Gregori, that of Carrau, that of Sant Roc, that del Coll o del Pilar and the passage of Vilanova. These gateways bear witness to the history and defensive architecture of the town across the centuries.
Matarraña · Tourism
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