Parish Church of Fundada / Church of Saint Margaret

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Castelo Branco > Vila de Rei > Fundada > Relva do Boi

Location

The Parish Church of Fundada, also known as the Church of Santa Margarida (Saint Margaret), stands majestically in the heart of Fundada parish, in Vila de Rei. It is situated on an elevated point of the Relva do Boi urbanization, offering a striking presence in the local landscape.

The temple is embraced by a spacious churchyard, delimited by a white wall and accessible by a side staircase. At the top of this staircase, commemorative elements enrich the space, such as a bronze bust dedicated to Father Manuel Rodrigues da Silva, former parish priest, and a Centennial Cross. Leafy trees punctuate the churchyard, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.

A Brief Historical Note

The current Church of Santa Margarida is a testament to 19th-century religious architecture. Although there was already a church dedicated to Santa Margarida in the parish in the mid-18th century, the structure we contemplate today was built in 1867. This date, visible on the keystone of the main portal, marks the year in which the works, directed by Mr. Ladeiras and with altarpieces executed by the carver Manuel Teixeira, shaped the building we know.

Over the years, the temple has undergone conservation interventions, namely in 1967, on the occasion of its centenary, and again in the early 21st century, which ensures its preservation and the possibility of continuing to appreciate its beauty and significance for the community.

Architecture and Exterior

The church features 19th-century religious architecture, characterized by an elongated plan, with a main nave and a narrower chancel. Its facades, plastered and painted white, stand out for their simplicity and elegance.

The main gable-shaped facade is marked by a depressed arch portal, whose keystone is ornamented with a shell and the construction date. To the left, an imposing square bell tower rises in two registers, topped by a bulbous spire and displaying a clock. On the right side of the building, an open porch, supported by Tuscan pillars, lends a welcoming touch to the side entrance.

The Interior and Its Artistic Details

Upon entering, the visitor is enveloped by an atmosphere of devotion and art. The walls, also white, are enriched in their lower part by monochromatic tile wainscoting in shades of blue and white, topped by a wooden frieze. The ceilings of the nave and chancel are made of waxed wood, forming elegant coffered paneling.

The high choir, in turned wood, and the baptistery, located at the base of the bell tower, reveal artistic details, such as the marble baptismal font and a tile panel depicting the Baptism of Christ. Inside, the presence of painted and gilded carved altarpieces, in a style reminiscent of Neobaroque, is notable, filling the chancel and the side chapels, these dedicated to the Lord of Mercies and Our Lady of Fátima. The chancel, elevated by steps, displays stuccos with moldings and phytomorphic motifs, complementing the richness of the main altarpiece and the representations of the attributes of the Passion of Christ on its ceiling panels.

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