Parish Church of Cioga do Campo / Church of Our Lady of Conception

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Cioga do Campo > Póvoa

Location

The Parish Church of Cioga do Campo stands in the Póvoa area, integrated into the locality of Cioga do Campo, in the municipality of Coimbra. The temple is situated on a slightly sloping ground, surrounded by a small paved churchyard at its front, inviting a moment of pause. In the immediate vicinity of the rear of the church, one can observe the village cemetery, marked by a wrought iron gate dated 1881, which complements the traditional surroundings of the place.

Memory and Time

The history of this church is intrinsically linked to the evolution of the village of Cioga do Campo itself. Although its construction is conjectured to have roots in the 16th century, the current building reflects the accumulation of interventions and expansions throughout the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries. Dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception), the church is a testament to the faith and community life that developed in this region of Coimbra over time.

Architectural Features

The Parish Church of Cioga do Campo presents religious architecture that combines Baroque elements with 20th-century influences. The main facade, in gable form, is marked by a classical portal, notable for its straight lintel and a triangular pediment at the top, just below a perfect arch window. To the left, the bell tower, of Baroque character, stands out with its four perfect-arched bell openings and a distinctive bulbous dome, culminating in a pyramidal stone pinnacle crowned by a weather vane in the shape of a rooster.

Interior Environment

Inside, the church space, painted white, reveals a longitudinal nave that leads to a narrower chancel. The ceiling, in a polygonal vault, is adorned with rosettes and stucco panels, creating an atmosphere of lightness and serenity. The baptistery, on the Gospel side, deserves attention for its octagonal bowl baptismal font and a tile panel depicting the Baptism of Christ. The pulpit, with its stone basin and wooden rail, and the main altarpiece of the chancel, worked in painted and gilded carving, are examples of the artistic richness that the temple preserves.

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