Janas: Discover Culture and History

Janas can be explored from several cultural and historical perspectives: the Capela de São Mamede combines a form that probably dates to the late 16th century with older archaeological associations. Other points of interest include a continuing religious tradition, finds from Roman times, and the Vinho de Colares Route. A pastry from the regional confectionery tradition of Sintra is also associated with Janas.

Chapel, Crypt, and Building History

The Capela de São Mamede de Janas is classified as an imóvel de interesse público (IIP), a property of public interest. Its present form probably dates to the late 16th century. The archaeological crypt is associated with the remains of two earlier Christian temples: one from the Mozarabic period and one from the First Dynasty. Both were identified during an archaeological excavation in the late 1980s.

The chapel brings together different historical perspectives. The probable date refers to its present form; the crypt is associated with the remains of earlier Christian buildings. If you explore Janas from a heritage perspective, keeping this distinction in mind helps you avoid collapsing the building history and archaeological associations into a single date.

Romaria and Pastry Tradition

The São Mamede romaria is still held at the chapel. During the event, livestock is ritually led around the temple three times. The number of circuits describes a specific element of this continuing custom. Alongside the building’s history, this religious tradition remains part of Janas’s connection to the Capela de São Mamede.

Another cultural connection to the area is the Bolos da Festa de São Mamede. This traditional pastry from the regional confectionery tradition of Sintra is associated with Janas. Together, the romaria and the pastry represent two different aspects of local tradition: a religious custom and a culinary connection to the region’s confectionery tradition.

Route and Archaeological Traces

The Vinho de Colares Route passes through Janas and by the circular chapel. It runs through an area classified as a natural park, which is part of the Sintra-Cascais Site of Community Importance in the Natura 2000 network. The route therefore passes a specific building and also goes through a protected area. Architecture and landscape protection offer two different perspectives on the same route.

Another archaeological point of interest is the Sítio Romano de Janas, on a path between Janas and the Ermida de São Mamede. Materials from Roman times were found there. This find is distinct from the crypt’s context: the Sítio Romano concerns Roman material, while the crypt is associated with the remains of two earlier Christian temples. The two archaeological connections therefore belong to different contexts.

Further Historical Points of Interest

Work on the Convento de Santa Ana at Casal da Torre in Janas began after the death of Mestre Henriques in 1449. This date marks the start of work on the convent; it is not the date of the present form of the Capela de São Mamede. Comparing it with the chapel’s probable late-16th-century date makes the different building histories easy to distinguish.

The Centro Cycling de Janas is housed in the former primary school. This building context adds another named institution to the area’s cultural and historical points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Praia Das Macas, Azenhas Do Mar, Galamares

For the main travel overview: Sintra.