Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos (Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Barcelos) description and photos - Portugal: Barcelos (Topic)

Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos (Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Barcelos) description and photos - Portugal: Barcelos. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Barcelos.

Photo and description

The main historical monuments of Barcelos can be seen near the medieval Gothic bridge over the Cavado River. One of these famous monuments is the Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos.

This outstanding church was built in the XIV century on the site of an old church of the XI century. Among the inhabitants of Barcelos, it is also called the parish church or the Matrice Church. Like many buildings in Portugal, the church building mixes two architectural styles: Romanesque and Gothic. The construction of the Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos was initiated by Don Pedro, the third Count of Barcelos, and the family coat of arms of this family can be seen above the archivolts. The building has retained the main features of the medieval era.

During the XVI-XVIII centuries, restoration work was periodically carried out in the church, some decorative and architectural details were added, in which both Gothic and Romanesque styles were intricately combined. The portal in the Romanesque style attracts the eye. It consists of four archivolts with eight small columns, each ending with a capital. The walls of the nave of the church are decorated with several panels of the 18th century from the famous Portuguese blue and white tiles "azulesos", which depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The chapel walls in the church are decorated in the Baroque style. The carved gilded altars, including the main altar of the temple, attract attention. The walls of the altar part of the church are decorated with paintings by Mannerist painters, which depict scenes of the Annunciation and Adoration of the Shepherds.

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Topic: Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos (Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Barcelos) description and photos - Portugal: Barcelos.