Parish Church of Arada

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Ovar > Arada

Location:

The Church of Arada is located in this village in the municipality of Ovar, built on an elevated platform. To access the square in front of the church, one must climb a few steps. From this point, there is an unobstructed view of the surrounding area, which includes the parish cemetery wall to the west and an old rural house to the south. Its slightly isolated position and access via a staircase give it a certain prominence in the local landscape.

Origins and Transformations

The construction of the church that stands today in Arada dates back to the first half of the 18th century. However, it is believed to have been built on the foundations of an older temple, suggesting a long history of worship at this site. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the building underwent various expansion works and renovations, adapting to the needs of the community.

More recently, in 2006, interventions were carried out for the conservation of the exterior landscaping, helping to preserve the building's current appearance.

Exterior Architecture

Of modest dimensions, the church features an architecture with a Baroque inclination. The main facade, oriented southeast, stands out for its austerity, with stonework marking the corners as if they were pilasters. The bell tower, with a quadrangular base and topped by a pyramidal spire, is located on the left side.

The entrance portal is rectangular, flanked by pilasters and topped by a broken pediment that incorporates a cross. Above, on the facade body, there is a quadrilobed oculus, and at the top of the gable, within a small niche, there is a sculpture of the patron saint, Saint Martin.

The Interior and Its Details

Upon entering, one observes a longitudinal nave that leads to the chancel. The ceiling is a stuccoed vault, springing from a cornice. The floor is tiled, and the walls feature a wainscoting of azulejos (tiles), adding a touch of color and pattern to the interior space.

The pulpit, located on the Gospel side, has its basin made of stone, resting on a corbel, and a wooden balustrade for the guard. The main altar is elevated on a platform with steps. The main altarpiece stands out, with its four twisted columns and garland decorations, and an oil painting occupying the central space. The secondary altarpieces and valances are made of wood painted in white and gold.

Testimonies of Local History

In the square in front of the church, near the churchyard, one can observe a calvary (stone cross) with a simple column, whose oldest part is the small pedestal at the base. This element evokes the religious history of the site.

Interestingly, the sculpture of Saint Martin found in the niche of the main facade is considerably older than the church building itself, dating from the late 15th century. This fact underlines the antiquity of devotion at this site, predating the construction of the current temple.

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