Clock Tower

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Guarda > Almeida > Almeida > Centro Histórico de Almeida

Location

Situated in the heart of Almeida's Historic Centre, the Clock Tower stands in an area of profound significance for the locality. It is situated in a space that once housed the disappeared Mother Church of Nossa Senhora das Candeias and the village's old cemetery. This central position and its history linked to these sites give it a prominent presence in Almeida's urban fabric.

Its Design and Style

The Clock Tower, built in 1830, is a remarkable example of an architectural fusion. Its design oscillates between the characteristic sobriety of Neoclassicism and the expressiveness of the Baroque, creating a visually rich ensemble. The vertical imposingness of the tower, with a quadrangular plan, stands out in the village landscape, serving as a landmark for visitors to Almeida.

One of its most distinctive elements is the bulbous pinnacle roof, a rounded and domed shape, topped by an elegant balustrade. Along its facades, elliptical oculus windows can be observed, contributing to its unique aesthetic.

Characteristic Elements

The tower's facades, rendered and painted in an ocher tone, are artistically delimited by quoins that simulate pilasters. The vertical structure is divided into three well-defined registers by friezes and cornices. The lower register includes the access door and a window, while the intermediate one features the aforementioned oval oculus windows. At the top, round-arched windows adorn the last register, resting on prominent imposts.

The tower features four bell openings, revealing its original function, with the bells accessible via interior wooden staircases. The construction is robust, with a granite structure, whose decorative details, such as the clock face and the pinnacles that crown it, are finely crafted in granite masonry, complemented by wooden doors and iron grilles on the windows.

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