Hello everyone :)
Dedicating this space to the description and highlighting of yet another historical reference point in the Portuguese city of Barcelos.
Today i present the Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Barcelos (Mother Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos), as i describe in the title of the article, it is also known as the Parish Church of Barcelos or even the Collegiate Church of Barcelos.
This temple is positioned on the perimeter of the historic center of the city, adjacent to the Paço dos Condes de Barcelos and close to the Pelourinho de Barcelos.
In the place where it was built, during the 14th century, there was already another building dating from the 13th century, which is an example of Romanesque architecture of notable quality, a fact corroborated by remains identified during restoration work on the aforementioned church.
According to historical data, it was between the years 1325 and 1350 that the aforementioned structure underwent a profound renovation in the Gothic style, promoted by the then 3rd Count of Barcelos, and later, between the years 1460 and 1464, it underwent new phases of reformulation, with the status of Collegiate being established in the church, giving it a new institutional and sacramental dimension.
Of course, the renovations could not stop there and over the following years it continued to undergo several interventions that culminated in what we can see today.
This ecclesiastical temple experienced a substantial increase in heritage, characterized by the incorporation of several chapels designed in different styles, as well as the introduction of funerary monuments.
The current imposing bell tower was erected using stone blocks extracted from the quarries adjacent to the Paço dos Condes de Barcelos.
The plan of the main chapel has a rectangular design, notable for the presence of a starry vault.
The interior is covered with tile panels in white and blue tones, the execution of which was entrusted to workshops in Lisbon.
Above the entrance, a neo-Gothic rose window, added during the 20th century restorations, contrasts with the 18th century bell tower located to the right.
Romanesque elements coexist with Gothic features, displaying an archaic and transitional character, reflecting the transition between the two styles.
Its historical and architectural relevance was officially recognized, being awarded the distinction of National Monument in 1927.
This description results from a study of the history of this same monument.
It is always very gratifying to be able to learn a little more about the history of our country and even the architectural evolution of the various monuments spread across the various cities, while preparing articles with these characteristics.
When we direct the camera lens in the opposite direction to the central subject, we can have a perception of the surrounding space and the privileged view from the elevation where the Temple was built, with the Cávado river as the background, intermediated by a beautiful, well-kept garden. and ornate, with the Pelorinho de Barcelos as a historical reference point.
This Pelorinho has a base formed by four octagonal steps and ends in a cage shape, in Gothic style.
It was a short description about such an interesting piece of architectural art, but i hope you find this interesting :)
That´s all for today :)
Photo by
Camera - Samsung SM-A528B
Camera - Canon EOS 600D
Lens - EFS 18-55mm / 70-300mm
Location - Portugal
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