Parochial Church of Aldeia de Santo António / Church of Santo António

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Guarda > Sabugal > Aldeia de Santo António > Urgueira

Location

Located in the heart of the small village of Aldeia de Santo António, the Parish Church of Aldeia de Santo António stands in a wide, granite-cobbled square that invites tranquility. The surroundings are composed of family homes, some of considerable size, which give the place an authentic and traditional atmosphere, characteristic of the mountain villages in the municipality of Sabugal.

Origins and Transformations

The Parish Church of Aldeia de Santo António has its roots in constructions from the 16th or 17th centuries, from which its oldest portals are believed to date. Over the centuries, the building has undergone various interventions that shaped its current appearance. In the 18th century, significant reforms took place, particularly in the chancel and window openings, which acquired their characteristic curved features. By the mid-20th century, the church was expanded, gaining the size we observe today, including the choir loft and the collateral altarpieces.

The Exterior Architecture

With a rectangular plan, the church features facades of exposed granite and masonry, adorned with stonework cornerstones and pyramidal pinnacles that rise towards the sky. The main facade, oriented southwest, is topped by a gable with a Latin cross and stands out with its lintelled portal, surmounted by a niche and a large window with colored glass, forming a cross. Adjoining it, the bell tower, plastered and painted white, rises in three registers, culminating in a truncated pyramidal spire, an element that gives the complex a particular silhouette.

Interior Details

Upon entering, the visitor is greeted by a space where the white-painted walls are highlighted by wainscoting of polychrome tiles, lending a touch of color and history. The internal ceilings are made of wood, simulating vaults, with the nave's ceiling painted blue and the chancel's decorated with medallions and religious representations. The triumphal arch, with Tuscan pilasters, marks the transition to the chancel, which houses an imposing painted carved altarpiece, in shades of white and gold, with twisted columns and a central tribune. The side altars, added in the 20th century, further enrich the ambiance with their carving and thematic niches, and in the baptistery, a tile panel illustrates the Baptism of Christ, beside the granite and marble baptismal font.

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