Parish Church of Soure

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Coimbra > Soure > Soure > Centro

Location

The Soure Parish Church, also known as the Church of São Tiago Maior, stands in the central area of the village of Soure, in the municipality of the same name. Situated in a main square, its position makes it stand out in the urban environment, making it a visible landmark for anyone exploring the heart of the locality.

Historical Memory

The foundations of the current church date back to the 15th century, a period of significant renovation for the building. The works were promoted by D. Manuel I, then Duke of Beja and administrator of the Order of Christ, to which the commandery of Soure belonged. A plaque dated 1490 attests to this construction phase.

Historical records from 1508 describe the "new church" as a remarkable structure, divided into three naves, tall, well-built, and richly decorated, with a distinctive mudejar ceiling and painting. Although the original mudejar ceiling was replaced in later renovations, its legacy persists through traces of polychromy visible in some elements currently preserved elsewhere, which underlines the sophistication of its initial design.

Artistic and Architectural Heritage

Despite various renovations over the centuries, the Soure Parish Church retains much of its 16th-century design, particularly in its two side naves and central body, separated by Gothic-style arcades. The interior of the church reveals a notable artistic collection.

Among the most relevant pieces is a sculpture of Nossa Senhora de Finisterra, dating from 1508, as well as a stone figure of São Tiago, possibly a donation from D. Manuel I after the completion of the works in the 16th century. In the Chapel of the Sacrament, carved in limestone, a 16th-century altarpiece stands out, attributed to the workshop of João de Ruão. The walls of this chapel are covered with blue and white tiles from the 17th century, originating from the Coimbra factory. The main chapel houses a Baroque altarpiece and a 20th-century stained-glass window dedicated to São Tiago. The ensemble is complemented by several Mannerist panels from the late 16th century, scattered on the church walls, depicting scenes such as Pentecost, the Adoration of the Shepherds, the Descent from the Cross, and the Four Evangelists.

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