Souls of Saint Anthony

Category: Religious Architecture > Wayside Shrine / Niche

District: Braga > Barcelos > Pomaraço > Quintiães e Aguiar

Location

The Alminhas de Santo António are discreetly integrated into the facade of a private house, in the peaceful village of Pomaraço, located within the area of Quintiães and Aguiar, in the municipality of Barcelos. This location is situated at a crossroads, a traditionally significant position for this type of devotional structure, lending it a rural and authentic atmosphere that invites careful observation.

A Legacy of Faith and Art

This set of 'alminhas' (shrines to the souls of purgatory), erected in the 18th century, is a remarkable testament to popular devotion and religious art. Comprising three niches carved in granite and integrated into the wall, the Alminhas de Santo António serve as a point of reflection and prayer. Their initial construction, with particular emphasis on the central niche dated 1747, reveals the skill of the artisans of the time.

Sculptural and Iconographic Details

The central niche stands out for its artistic richness, displaying a shell vault over a blue background and a molded altar base with delicate sculpted heads. It is flanked by circular pilasters supporting a perfect arch, decorated with vegetal motifs and gargoyles. Inside, there is an image of Saint Anthony. The lateral niches, symmetrically designed, feature arches and a crowning with trilobed crosses. The niche on the right houses a panel of polychrome tiles depicting Our Lady of Conception, a mid-20th-century addition, while the one on the left displays a painted wooden panel, illustrating Christ on the cross, flanked by Our Lady and Saint Anthony, and Saint Michael interceding for the souls in Purgatory. This diversity of materials and artistic techniques enriches the visual and spiritual experience of the place.

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