Church of Saint Mary of the Abbot

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Braga > Barcelos > Abade de Neiva

Location

Situated in the picturesque locality of Abade de Neiva, in the municipality of Barcelos, the Church of Santa Maria do Abade stands on an elevated point, halfway up a hill. This positioning offers a broad perspective and a serene framing, characteristic of the Minho rural landscape. The church is surrounded by its churchyard, the parish cemetery, and a small garden, fitting harmoniously into the life of the local community.

The natural environment surrounding the temple is marked by the presence of oak, pine, and cork trees. From certain points, it is possible to glimpse the city of Braga in the distance and, in another direction, the coastal strip stretching through localities such as Esposende, Fão, and Viana do Castelo, lending the place an atmosphere of tranquility and a view that invites contemplation.

A Historical Legacy

The history of the Church of Santa Maria do Abade is notable, with its origins dating back to the 12th century, more precisely to the year 1152. It was at the initiative of Queen D. Mafalda of Savoy, consort of D. Afonso Henriques, that the construction of a religious building began on this site, with the intention of founding a monastery. However, the work was not completed during her lifetime, leaving a temple with a royal foundation to the future.

Throughout the centuries, the church was linked to the Portuguese Crown, later passing into the possession of the House of Bragança until the 19th century. In 1310, a Collegiate Church was established, composed of a rector and chaplains, a milestone that underscores its importance and vitality at the time. The church is recognized for its heritage value, having been classified as a National Monument since 1927, a testament to its cultural and historical relevance for Portugal.

Architectural Expression

The Church of Santa Maria do Abade presents a fascinating dialogue between Romanesque and Gothic styles, resulting from the various construction phases and interventions over time. Its floor plan consists of a longitudinal nave and a rectangular main chapel, with volumes that are staggered under two-pitched roofs.

On the main façade, a tall and slender portal with a pointed arch, characteristic of the Gothic style, stands out. It is adorned with four archivolts that rest on columns with smooth shafts. The capitals are particularly interesting, with narrative decorations that include human figures, such as a player of a bowed instrument and a dancer, and zoomorphic elements, such as a pair of birds drinking from the same vase. Above the door, a round oculum illuminates the interior. On the side walls of the nave, a series of Romanesque-style corbels can be observed, displaying a variety of sculpted motifs, from faces to animals, fish, and barrels, revealing the decorative richness of the period.

The tower, attached to the southern façade, is robust and of balanced proportions, crowned by pyramidal merlons that give it a distinctive character. Inside, the triumphal arch connecting the nave to the main chapel is slightly pointed, and the walls display various inscriptions, a legacy from past eras. The lighting of the main chapel is provided by a Gothic biforate window, complemented by a quatrefoil oculum, which contributes to the serene and contemplative atmosphere of the space.

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