This building came from the desire to have a chapel at the National Scout's Activities Camp (CNAE), in Idanha-a-Nova, central region of Portugal, for the XXIII National Jamboree of Portuguese Catholic Scouts, which involved about 22,000 participants.
The chosen location is privileged, in a plateau area, central in the CNAE, surrounded by a rural environment, with an extraordinary panoramic view, that also impelled the design of the building.
The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima and is inspired by the scouting experience: outdoor life, camping, the tent. The pointy edges of the building allude to the scout's scarf, the symbol of vow and commitment of this movement.
The chapel was thought out as a large tent, with open doors to everyone, in a constant welcoming point for shelter, contemplation and introspection.
The east / west orientation enables the sunrise to illuminate its interior space, and the sunset to fill the place with an immensity of colors, tones and ambiences.
The large cross, implanted at the landscape, with its imposing and yet delicate form, tapers as it gains height, and testifies the solemnity of the place.
The wood and zinc structure give a simple and protective external aspect to the temple, and creates a cozy interior ambience.
Inside, the covering is supported by 12 wooden beams (an allusion to the Apostles) revealing the constructive simplicity and truth.
With a total length of 12m, the structure reaches its highest point at 9m, after the Altar, where the raising of the main beam increases the space depth, and highlights this sacral point.
The chapel permit celebrations for a greater number of people. In these cases, the assembly can be in the large exterior space, leaving the celebrant facing the landscape, which transforms the whole chapel into an altar.
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