Church of the Holy Savior

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Aveiro > Águeda > Trofa

Location

The Church of São Salvador is located in the parish of Trofa, in the municipality of Águeda. It stands on a small, tranquil, and gardened atrium, surrounded by walls that separate it from the surrounding agricultural landscapes.

Its position in the locality allows for a serene view of its surroundings, harmoniously integrating into a landscape that combines built elements with the tranquility of rural nature.

An Architectural Journey Through the Centuries

The Church of São Salvador da Trofa, also known as the Mother Church, is a living testament to the passage of time and the evolution of architectural styles. Its current configuration is the result of successive construction and renovation campaigns that took place from the first half of the 16th century until the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries.

Although its main structure was greatly altered over the centuries, its most significant origin dates back to the 16th century, when D. Duarte de Lemos, the third Lord of Trofa, commissioned the construction of the funerary chapel that would become the current chancel. The building exhibits an interesting fusion of late Gothic elements, the vigor of the Renaissance, and the sobriety of the Portuguese Mannerist style (estilo chão), which is reflected, for example, in the church nave.

The Pantheon of the Lemos Family: A Renaissance Sculptural Treasure

The greatest attraction and historical value of the Church of São Salvador lies within its interior, where the notable Pantheon of the Lemos Family is housed. This sculptural funerary ensemble, classified as a National Monument, is one of the most important expressions of Portuguese Renaissance art.

Dating from the 16th century and commissioned by D. Duarte de Lemos, the pantheon includes several richly crafted wall tombs, which house the remains of members of the illustrious Lemos family, the founders of the space. Among the works, the recumbent figure of the knight Diogo de Lemos stands out, and particularly, the praying statue of D. Duarte de Lemos. The latter, attributed by some to Master Hodart, is praised for its strength and precision of lines, being considered a masterpiece of Portuguese Renaissance sculpture, capturing the knight's imposing presence in prayer.

Artistic and Environmental Details

The church invites close observation, both on its exterior and interior. The main facade, in the provincial Baroque style of the 18th century, features a sober portal topped by a niche containing an image of São Salvador. On the left side, the bell tower rises, complementing the ensemble's aesthetic.

Inside, with a single nave, the chancel captures the eye with its elaborate ribbed vaulting, with decorated bosses, where the Lemos family coat of arms is set. The ornamentation of the tombs is profuse and surprising for its grotesque motifs, with vegetal elements, hybrid creatures, skulls, dragons, and griffins. These details, along with the sculpted medallions, add a layer of symbolism and artistic complexity to the historical and solemn character of the place.

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