Trofa Church including the tombs of the Lemos family.

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Águeda > Trofa

Location and Classification

The Church of Trofa, also known as the Mother Church of São Salvador da Trofa, is located in the town of Trofa, in the municipality of Águeda, district of Aveiro. It was classified as a National Monument in 1910, standing out as an important point of historical and cultural interest.

History and Construction

The church was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, with several interventions over the years. Its architecture combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, reflecting the various phases of construction and renovation. Initially, the temple was erected near the old palace of the Lords of Trofa.

Architecture

The building has a rectangular plan and a single nave, with a simple coffered vault. The main facade has a sober portal with the image of São Salvador and a niche. The bell tower, which dates from the 18th century, was added later.

Chancel

The chancel stands out for its ribbed vault, a work by Diogo de Castilho, and for the carved altarpiece with Franciscan themes, originating from the former Serém convent. Here is the famous Pantheon of the Lemos.

Pantheon of the Lemos

This Renaissance pantheon was commissioned in 1534 by D. Duarte de Lemos and is one of the most significant works of the Portuguese Renaissance. It features two main tombs, with elegant and detailed sculptures, representing the first Lords of Trofa and their families.

Sculpture of D. Duarte de Lemos

The funerary sculpture of D. Duarte de Lemos, sculpted in limestone, is one of the main attractions of the pantheon. The figure of D. Duarte appears kneeling in prayer, wearing knight's armor and with an open book on a bench. The figures and details on the tombs, such as the friezes and medallions, are typical of the Renaissance style.

Tombs of the Lemos

The Pantheon of the Lemos is the burial place of the members of the Lemos family, including Gomes Martins de Lemos and his wife, João Gomes de Lemos and his wife, D. Joana de Melo, and D. Duarte de Lemos. Each tomb is richly decorated with symbolic elements, such as foliage, bucrania, and mythological figures.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_da_Trofa

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt