Mother Church of São Martinho da Cortiça

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Coimbra > Arganil > São Martinho da Cortiça > Vale do Matouco

Location

The Mother Church of São Martinho da Cortiça is located in the village of the same name, in the municipality of Arganil, in the district of Coimbra. It is situated in the Matouco Valley area, offering a visiting experience that combines the tranquility of the rural environment with proximity to the center of the locality. Its position allows for observation of the integration of religious architecture into the surrounding landscape, characterized by hills and dense vegetation, typical of central Portugal.

A History of Change

The history of the Mother Church of São Martinho da Cortiça is marked by a journey of transformations and changes. The first reference to a church dedicated to Saint Martin in this area dates back to 1141, although its origins are suspected to be even older, dating back to the late 9th century. The original temple was located in a more isolated spot, known as Passal, beside the old Estrada da Beira, and was then designated as the Church of São Martinho da Sanguinheda. However, due to its exposed location and risk of degradation, around 1598, the parish seat was temporarily transferred to the Chapel of Santo Amaro da Cortiça.

The current imposing building was constructed at the initiative of Prior D. Nuno Castelo Branco, between 1617 and 1624, on land he himself acquired and donated in what was then called Póvoa de São Martinho, a locality that would become the present-day São Martinho da Cortiça. This new temple became the nerve center of local religious life. Over the centuries, the church was not immune to turbulent historical events; for example, it was damaged and plundered during the French Invasions in 1811, and also suffered from the impacts of the Liberal Wars in 1832, bearing witness to the challenging periods experienced by the community.

Treasures of Art and Devotion

The Mother Church of São Martinho da Cortiça presents itself as a large building, constructed from local sandstone, a regional stone that gives it a particular hue and integrates it into the landscape. Its main facade, simple in design, is dominated by a tall rectangular door featuring the engraved Cunhas de Pombeiro coat of arms. Above, the choir window and a niche with pilasters stand out, housing a sculpture of Saint Martin, originating from the older temple. The oblong tower rises in the middle of the church body, giving it a unique presence.

Inside, visitors encounter two side chapels, opened on the nave's flanks, covered by simple brick domes. The chancel, also with a brick vault, displays arches crafted from Coimbra limestone, adorned with cartouches and the coats of arms of the influential Castelo Branco and Cunha families, who left their mark on the region's history. The pulpit, also in limestone and supported by two corbels, features the distinctive Castelo Branco lion. The main altarpiece, a magnificent gilded wooden work from the late 17th century, impresses with its four twisted columns decorated with vine motifs. An artistic detail of great value is the beautiful panel of 16th-century Sevillian tiles that covers the front of the main altar table.

The side chapels and those of the transept feature 18th-century altarpieces, which, although following a similar design, reveal uniqueness with their two columns, radiant suns, angels, and shell ornaments. Among the sculptures that enrich the space, several notable pieces stand out: three limestone sculptures from the late 16th century, originating from the primitive church, including Saint Lucy and Saint Agatha. There is also a Virgin and Child (16th-17th centuries) and a Saint Bishop (16th century), in Gothic style. The liturgical heritage includes an engraved white silver chalice from the 16th century and a 17th-century embroidered stole, testaments to the sacred art of past eras.

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