Church of Our Lady of the Castle / Church of Our Lady of Milk / Calvary Chapel

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Guarda > Aguiar da Beira > Aguiar da Beira > Aguiar da Beira e Coruche

Location

Situated in Aguiar da Beira, in the municipality that gives it its name, this heritage complex is located on the edge of the historic centre's urban fabric. It stands in a large open square, next to the site where the town's old castle once stood. This outdoor space, dotted with a few trees, offers a tranquil environment, ideal for a break and to appreciate the surroundings.

Architectural Features and Centuries of History

The Church of Nossa Senhora do Castelo (Our Lady of the Castle) is a remarkable example of local religious architecture, with origins possibly dating back to the 14th century. Built predominantly of granite ashlar, it features a characteristic longitudinal plan, with a nave and a narrower chancel. Over the centuries, the temple underwent alterations, blending Gothic elements with Baroque additions, notably in the 18th century, when it assumed the function of the town's main church.

The Interior and Sacred Art

Inside the church, visitors discover an atmosphere of stone and wood. The floor is made of granite flagstones and the ceilings feature false wooden barrel vaults, contributing to its uniqueness. The main altarpiece stands out, an 18th-century Baroque piece where gilding was applied directly to the wood. This impressive altarpiece is defined by twisted columns ornamented with vine leaves and pilasters decorated with phytomorphic elements. In its central niche and side panels, artistic representations are revealed that give the church the designation of Nossa Senhora do Leite (Our Lady of the Milk), with paintings that evoke, for example, the Assumption and the Nativity of Mary.

On the Gospel side wall, you will find a pointed arch arcosolium with sculptural details that allude to funerary themes, such as jars emitting smoke and burning candlesticks. The triumphal arch separating the nave from the chancel is also noteworthy, with its chamfered edge and continuous spherical motifs, culminating in a "wild man" mascaron on one side and a spherical element on the other.

The Exterior Pulpit and the Symbolism of Calvary

Outside, attached to the church's northeast façade, is a quadrangular granite pulpit, which in the past served as a platform for preaching during religious ceremonies. Next to this pulpit, an elevated platform leads to a stone cross, resting on a decorated plinth. This cross, with its continuous vegetal relief, is known as the "Tree of Life," and on its front face, it displays the symbolic skull of Adam, in allusion to Golgotha.

This entire exterior complex, known as the Calvary Chapel, holds profound religious and historical significance. It was here that, during Holy Week, the rites of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ were celebrated, with the setup of a Calvary, whose rock cavities, intended for the fixation of crosses, are still visible. This space invites reflection on the traditions and faith that shaped the community over the centuries.

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