Church of Saint Eusebius

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

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

Location

The Church of Saint Eusebius is located in the town of Aguiar da Beira, integrated into the urban environment of the village. It is situated in a spacious, walled churchyard, which provides a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.

This churchyard, delimited by a granite balustrade, has a striking central access and is adorned with various flowerbeds and trees, including cypress trees. Exploring the right side facade, it is possible to notice traces of the old cemetery, with graves protected by metal grilles, which add a touch of history to the site.

A Look at History

The Church of Saint Eusebius was built between the 18th and 19th centuries, with its probable completion in 1762, a date believed to be inscribed on a lintel of the facade. Its construction responded to the need for a new, more accessible parish church, as the town of Aguiar da Beira grew and previous religious buildings were located away from the center.

Before the current church, the mother church was dedicated to Saint Peter, now disappeared. Over the centuries, the current temple underwent interventions, particularly in the 19th century, which included works on the bell tower and the execution of one of the collateral altarpieces, shaping the appearance observed today.

The Architecture in Granite

This temple reveals an architecture that combines Baroque and Neoclassical elements, its structure being predominantly built in granite ashlar. The main facade, facing south, stands out with its elevated gable and straight lintel portal, above which rises a pediment and a quadrilobate oculus, flanked by balcony windows.

The bell tower, with its three distinct registers, stands out in the church's landscape, culminating in a balustrade with a dome. On the exterior walls, it is possible to discover incised crosses marking a Way of the Cross, as well as various marks left by the stonemasons who worked on this edifice, discreet testimonies of its past.

Interior and Sacred Art

Upon entering the church, we are greeted by an interior where the light-colored walls contrast with the wainscoting and the yellow-painted false wooden vaults. The nave, chancel, and sacristy articulate harmoniously, revealing remarkable artistic richness.

The altarpieces stand out: the main altarpiece, in Baroque style, features twisted columns and gilded elements, flanking a central throne. The side altarpieces, in turn, display a Rococo structure, with polychrome carving and gilded details. A particular element is the frieze of Hispano-Moresque tiles with geometric patterns that surrounds the triumphal arch, a piece with a peculiar history of provenance, offered by a parishioner. In the sacristy, a ceiling with 25 painted coffers, representing hagiographic figures, invites a closer look at the local sacred art.

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