Póvoa da Lomba Wayside Cross

Category: Religious Architecture > Stone Cross

District: Coimbra > Cantanhede > Póvoa da Lomba

Location:

The cruzeiro stands in the center of Póvoa da Lomba, right at the intersection of the village's main streets. It is flanked by typical buildings from the interior of Coimbra, where the cobblestone is a masterpiece and the facades feature traditional characteristics.

The immediate surroundings are marked by narrow, cobbled streets, giving the place a tranquil pace, ideal for a short walk and some photographs.

Historical value:

Of Renaissance typology, the cruzeiro probably dates back to the 16th-17th centuries. Although the author is unknown, documentary evidence places its construction in that era, having undergone several interventions between 1982 and 2005 for the consolidation of its original structures.

In the process of municipal classification since 1996, the monument continues to play a symbolic role in the life of the local community, serving as a point of reference in religious celebrations and August festivities, when it is sometimes adorned with flowers and ribbons.

Architecture and symbolism:

Set on a three-tiered stepped base, the cruzeiro features four Tuscan columns with monolithic shafts that support an entablature decorated with coffers and a projecting cornice. At the corners, small stone pyramidal pinnacles emerge.

The most striking element is the round dome, crowned by a prismatic fogacho and topped with an iron cross. Inside, a crucified Christ of popular depiction highlights the devotional character of the structure.

Urban environment:

Integrated into the traditional layout of the village, the cruzeiro stands out in a small public space, delimited by a discreet railing that protects the monument. Around it, the Portuguese pavement flooring reinforces the sense of continuity with the local heritage.

The intersection where it is located invites a contemplative pause, allowing one to perceive the cruzeiro's proportions from various angles and appreciate the harmony between the architectural element and the rural environment that surrounds it.

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