Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Aveiro > Albergaria-a-Velha > Albergaria-a-Velha > Assilhó
Located in the Assilhó area, the Parish Church of Albergaria-a-Velha is situated within the urban context of the locality. It is flanked by private houses and benefits from a spacious churchyard in front of its main façade, creating a prominent and social area in its surroundings.
This church combines architectural elements from the 17th and 18th centuries, reflecting the Mannerist and Baroque styles. Its structure features a longitudinal plan, composed of the main nave and the chancel, the latter being slightly narrower and lower. Attached to the right side are other sections, such as the sacristy and the bell tower, which contribute to its characteristic volume.
The main façade, facing south and topped with a gable and a cross at its apex, captures attention. The entrance portal stands out, featuring a straight lintel, above which the date 1692 is visible, marking an important moment in its construction. Above the portal, a rectangular window illuminates the choir loft. The bell tower, integrated into the complex on the right side, is pierced by arched openings on its main faces and displays a clock on its south-facing side.
Upon entering, one finds a space characterized by white-painted walls and a dado of monochromatic blue tiles on a white background. The nave, the main body of the church, is covered by a wooden coffered ceiling. A prominent feature is the triumphal arch leading to the chancel, with its intrados painted with vegetal motifs (acanthus). Inside, the baptismal font is also visible, and in the nave, medallions depicting the Stations of the Cross.
One of the church's greatest attractions is the set of altarpieces that adorn its interior. The main altarpiece, in the chancel, dates from the 17th century and is an example of National Baroque, with its rich gilded carving highlighting the deep tribune and the throne. The lateral and collateral altarpieces, from the second half of the 18th century, already belong to the Joanine Baroque style, also displaying sumptuous gilded and polychrome carving, with columns, niches, and elaborate ornamentation.
The parish of Albergaria-a-Velha was created in 1496. The construction of the current church, at the location known as Outeiro dos Casais, began in 1692, with the laying of the first stone in September of that year. The inauguration took place in June 1695, with the translation of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1759, a fire damaged a large part of the building, though the chancel and some images were saved, and the church was repaired the following year. Gilding work was carried out in 1774, contributing to its interior beauty.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.6930584,-8.48122
Coordinates DMS: 40°41'35.0"N 08°28'52.4"W
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