Category: Civil Architecture > Ensemble
District: Bragança > Torre de Moncorvo > Torre de Moncorvo > Urros e Peredo dos Castelhanos
The ensemble of the Church of Saint Apollinaris, fountain, and cross is located in Urros e Peredo dos Castelhanos, a locality integrated into the municipality of Torre de Moncorvo, in the district of Bragança. Situated in an area that typifies the rural landscape of Northeast Transmontano, this place offers an authentic glimpse into the heritage and community life of the region.
The positioning of these elements, frequently at the center or in a vital area of the old settlement, underlines their historical and social importance. The surroundings are marked by the tranquility of the rural environment, where traditional architecture and nature merge, allowing for an immersion in the cultural heritage of Terra Quente.
This particular site consists of a trio of architectural and historical elements: the Church of Saint Apollinaris, a fountain, and a cross. Their combined presence is not fortuitous; on the contrary, it reflects the traditional organization of Portuguese rural communities, where faith, subsistence, and local identity converged at meeting points and references. Observing this ensemble allows one to understand the dynamics and values that shaped life over the centuries in this region of Portugal.
The Church of Saint Apollinaris, as the central element of this ensemble, generally presents itself with the simplicity and robustness characteristic of Transmontana rural religious architecture. Built with local stonework, its facade and the body of the building reveal sober lines, but with details that may point to stylistic influences from different eras, from more rustic elements to Baroque touches, common in the parochial constructions of the region. Its presence is a testament to the profound religiosity and the central role of the church in the life of rural communities.
Complementing the church, the fountain and the cross add layers of meaning to the site. The fountain, an element of civil architecture, played a vital role in supplying water to the population and livestock, being a point of meeting and sociability. Its construction, often in carved stone, demonstrates functionality combined with its own aesthetic.
The cross, in turn, is a landmark of profound Christian symbolism. Typically sculpted in granite, and often topped by a cross with Christ and/or Our Lady, it was a point of prayer, territorial demarcation, or the marking of significant events. Its placement near the church and the fountain reinforces the idea of a community space where faith, daily life, and collective memory intertwine.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.076248993065235,-7.03093786271856
Coordinates DMS: 41°04'34.5"N 07°01'51.4"W
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