Church of Santa Comba de Vilariça

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Bragança > Vila Flor > Santa Comba de Vilariça

Location

The Church of Santa Comba de Vilariça stands in the heart of the village that bears its name, in the municipality of Vila Flor. It is located in a central area, flanked by houses that make up the urban core. In front of the church, a small paved churchyard extends, creating a welcoming space that invites a pause to observe the building.

A Look at Baroque Architecture

The church's facade, predominantly built of granite, showcases the 18th-century Baroque style. The main portal stands out, flanked by twisted-shaft columns and topped by a broken curved pediment, above which there is an oculus. On the portal's lintel, the engraved date of 1719 can be observed, indicating the time of its construction. The facade's gable is truncated and culminates in a double bell tower, typical of the region's religious architecture.

Artistic Details in the Interior

Upon entering, the visitor encounters a single nave that leads to the chancel. The interior holds elements of great artistic value, such as the gilded woodcarving that adorns the altars. In the nave, there are side altars with 'National Style' carving, while in the chancel the carving is of the 'Joanine Style'. The space is enriched by a wainscot of patterned tiles in shades of blue and white that decorate the nave walls. Also visible are a wooden choir loft and a square stone pulpit.

Name and History

The church is the Mother Church of the village, with Saint Peter as its official patron saint. However, it is widely known by the name of the place, Santa Comba de Vilariça, which may correspond to an older invocation, pre-dating the medieval period. This fact adds an interesting historical layer to the identity of the temple and the locality itself, connecting the present to its most distant roots.

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