Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Castelo Branco > Covilhã > Peraboa
The Peraboa Parish Church is situated within the urban context of the locality, positioned on a hillside. The building is set on an elevated platform, which creates a walled and fenced churchyard in front of it. This outdoor space invites a pause and allows for an unobstructed view of the church within the village setting.
This temple features a blend of architectural styles, with Mannerist and Baroque influences, resulting from interventions over the centuries. The main facade, facing west, stands out for its portal flanked by pilasters and topped by an interrupted curved pediment. A niche, housing the image of the patron saint, is located above the portal. Above, a large window illuminates the interior. The structure is composed of a single nave and a narrower chancel, with the bell tower being a separate volume, located on the north side of the church. The building's quoins are accentuated by pilasters ending in pinnacles.
Inside, the floor in the central area is paved with granite slabs. The trough-shaped ceiling has exposed beams. The nave features a wooden choir loft, supported by two columns. One of the most notable elements is the pulpit, located on the Gospel side, with a richly carved gilded wood railing, displaying acanthus patterns.
The altars deserve particular attention for their decoration. There are stone side altarpieces, possibly from the 18th century. However, the focal point is the main altarpiece, located in the chancel. This altarpiece, concave in shape, is a beautiful example of gilded and polychrome carving. It features spiral columns decorated with phytomorphic elements and boasts corbels with wooden images, flanked by angels and baldachins. Its design combines the structure of the "national" carving style with decorative elements from the Joanine period, highlighted by the blue and red colors punctuated by the gilding of the carving.
The presence of a church in Peraboa is documented early in Portugal's history. There are references to this temple as early as the 14th century, specifically in a papal bull from 1320. The rebuilding or construction of the main structure we see today likely dates back to the 17th century, a period during which some of the side altarpieces may also have been created. The main altarpiece, with its Baroque exuberance, suggests a later execution, possibly in the 18th century. The descriptions in the Parochial Memories of 1758 confirm the existence of the main altars at that time, demonstrating the continuity of religious life at this location throughout the centuries.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.2561991,-7.3866636
Coordinates DMS: 40°15'22.3"N 07°23'12.0"W
Weather Peraboa
On-duty Pharmacy Peraboa
