Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Coimbra > Condeixa-a-Nova > Sebal Grande > Sebal e Belide
The Parish Church of Sebal Grande, also known as the Church of Saint Peter, is located in Sebal Grande, an area belonging to the Union of Parishes of Sebal and Belide, in the municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova. The temple occupies a prominent and slightly elevated position relative to the surrounding street, giving it a remarkable presence in the landscape. Access to its churchyard, paved with traditional cobblestones, is via a staircase, inviting contemplation of the building. The main facade of the church faces the fields that surround it, providing a view of the region's rural tranquility.
Although the origins of the Church of Saint Peter may date back to the Manueline period or even earlier, its current architectural structure reflects significant interventions from the 16th and 17th centuries. The building features a single nave with a rectangular plan that extends to the more modest-sized chancel, and includes lateral chapels, a sacristy, and a bell tower attached to the rear facade. The main facade is marked by pilastered quoin stones and a prominent portal, crowned by an interrupted curved pediment and a quatrefoil oculus. On the right side facade, a sundial and an intriguing cannon-shaped gargoyle can be observed, details that enrich the external view of the temple. The bell tower, topped by an elegant spire and pinnacles, completes its characteristic silhouette.
The church's interior reveals a remarkable artistic and decorative richness. The main nave, though structurally simple, is enhanced by its wooden coffered ceiling and a floor that combines stone and wood. The walls of the nave and chancel are covered with polychrome tile panels, many of them manufactured in Coimbra, displaying patterns such as the artichoke type and checkerboard designs. The four lateral chapels, two on each side, constitute one of the most interesting points, revealing the beauty and formal complexity of the Renaissance. Among them, the Chapel of the Sacrament stands out with its lowered dome, a polychrome stone altarpiece, and its bronze railings. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary shares aesthetic similarities, while the Chapel of Piety and the Chapel of Saint Michael or of the Souls enrich the space with their altars and the presence of a faceted baptismal font. The triumphal arch, which precedes the chancel, is adorned with 18th-century carvings and figures of angels, preparing the gaze for the main altar. The latter dazzles with its profuse gilded and polychrome carving, rich in vegetal decoration, with a throne hosting a canvas depicting Saint Peter. Laterally to the altar, two doors display 16th-century panels illustrating Saint Paul and Saint John the Evangelist, and the choir stalls of the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament contribute to the solemn atmosphere of the space.
The history of the Parish Church of Sebal Grande dates back to medieval times, being mentioned as a parish and dedicated to Saint Peter as early as 1250. The construction of the temple is a testament to community dedication and effort. For its edifice, limestone masonry was employed, and in the interior, the acclaimed Ançã stone, known for its quality and beauty, was transported from considerable distances. Chestnut wood, sourced from the Miranda do Côrvo Mountain Range, was used for the lining, the high choir, and various altar pieces, conferring robustness and a warm aesthetic to the space. Throughout the centuries, the temple faced challenges, such as assaults suffered during the French invasions in 1807 and another in 1837, which resulted in the loss of many religious objects. However, a silver processional cross, dated 1604, managed to survive these events, remaining as a valuable and rare example of the enduring heritage, a symbol of the site's historical resilience. The importance of the church was formally recognized with its classification as a Monument of Public Interest.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.1182742,-8.5337512
Coordinates DMS: 40°07'5.8"N 08°32'1.5"W
Weather Sebal Grande
On-duty Pharmacy Sebal Grande
