Church of the Immaculate Conception

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Guarda > Guarda > Vila Fernando > Vila Fernando (Gare)

Location

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is located in the village of Vila Fernando (Gare), part of the parish of Marmeleiro, in the municipality of Guarda. It stands at the edge of the rural agglomerate, in an elevated position offering views over the valley of the Ade stream. Its spacious churchyard, delimited by stone walls and featuring a cruzeiro (stone cross), invites a moment of tranquility and observation of the surrounding landscape. The bell tower, a distinctive element, is located laterally, separated from the main body of the church.

Historical Roots

The history of this church dates back to medieval times, being already mentioned in ecclesiastical documents from the 13th century, around 1260, as part of the bishopric of Guarda. Over the centuries, the church was linked to important institutions, such as the Order of Christ and royal patronage, which attests to its relevance. Its current structure primarily results from works carried out between the 16th and 17th centuries, a period when its architectural form and the artistic elements we admire today were consolidated. Throughout time, it served as a stage for various confraternities and brotherhoods, reflecting the local community and religious life.

Architecture and Art

This parish church features vernacular religious architecture, with a main facade oriented to the east, marked by the simplicity of its openings. Inside, the nave, with its wooden floor and central flagstone, is covered by a barrel vault in wood, painted with an image of Our Lady of Conception at its central point. The chancel is one of the most interesting points, highlighted by its coffered ceiling, composed of forty-nine wooden panels painted with stylized vegetal motifs and figures of the evangelists. Of note is the presence of two beams from an old Mudéjar ceiling, a 16th-century vestige that predates the current roof and reveals unique artistic influences. The altarpiece of the main altar, in gilded carving, is richly decorated with Solomonic columns, grapevines, and birds, while lateral altars and a whitewashed stone pulpit complement the artistic richness of the space.

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