Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Aveiro > Sever do Vouga > Cortinha
Located in the town of Sever do Vouga, the seat of the municipality of the same name, the Main Church stands on a hillside, offering a unique perspective over the urban surroundings. Its main façade opens onto a large square, accessed by a staircase, inviting contemplation of the building and its surrounding space. Its position lends it an atmosphere of tranquility.
The history of the Main Church of Sever do Vouga dates back to its initial construction in the 16th century. Originally, the building had a layout consisting of three naves and vaulted chapels at the chancel, features that reflect the architecture of the period. Over the centuries, the temple underwent several interventions. In the 17th century, the main façade underwent a Mannerist-style remodeling, which added pilasters, pinnacles, and a rectangular portal, elements that can still be seen today. In the 1960s, during the 20th century, the church underwent extensive expansion and internal reconfiguration. Despite these alterations, which transformed the interior into a single amphitheater-shaped nave, the vaulted chapels at the chancel and the original façade were carefully preserved, maintaining the link to its past.
Upon entering the church, the eye is immediately drawn to details of great artistic value. One of the most notable elements is the 18th-century pulpit, an impressive work of gilded and polychrome woodcarving, characteristic of the Joanino Baroque style. This pulpit rests peculiarly on the sculpted figure of a man carrying it on his back, popularly known as "Janardo", a detail that gives the piece a unique touch. The three chapels at the chancel, remnants of the 16th-century construction, still display their original ogival ribbed vaults, some of which preserve traces of ancient polychrome painting. The granite baptismal font, with its hemispherical shape and decorations of cherubs and a figure of a pelican, is another element of interest that deserves attention.
In the churchyard of the Main Church, next to the old access staircase, stands an elegant 17th-century stone cross. This granite piece is notable for its shaft, which is a twisted column carved from a single stone. The capital that crowns it is richly elaborate, giving the cross a dignified and symbolic presence in the church's surroundings.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.7311273,-8.3705054
Coordinates DMS: 40°43'52.1"N 08°22'13.8"W
Weather Cortinha
On-duty Pharmacy Cortinha
