Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Guarda > Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo > Algodres > Algodres, Vale de Afonsinho e Vilar de Amargo
Situated in the peaceful village of Algodres, in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, the Algodres Parish Church is located in a spacious and central square. This location, although integrated into the village's urban fabric, maintains an atmosphere of seclusion, serving as a natural meeting point for various thoroughfares, flanked by buildings that reflect the region's traditional and rural architecture, lending it an authentic and genuine ambiance.
The Algodres Parish Church, also known as the Church of Nossa Senhora da Alagoa, has its roots in the 14th century, with a Romanesque style foundation, from which the main portal with its perfect arch can still be observed. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the temple underwent significant transformations, which gave it its current appearance, combining elements from different eras. Its plan is rectangular, composed of a nave divided into bays and a chancel, with attached sacristies.
The interior of the church reveals a remarkable set of decorative elements. The chancel, with its ceiling of wooden coffers ornamented with stylized geometric and phytomorphic motifs, houses a main altarpiece in gilded carving, of Mannerist structure. The collateral altarpieces, dedicated to the Virgin, are similar to each other, exhibiting the national style of carving. The triumphal arch breaks the space, revealing human figures on its imposts and keystone. The nave features a flagstone floor and a wooden choir loft, while the baptismal chapel, beneath the tower, is covered by a barrel vault.
On the exterior, the bell tower, attached to the north elevation, stands out for its imposing three-tiered structure. Dated 1777, as attested by an inscription on its surface, the tower has four full-arch bell openings and is topped by four bulbous pinnacles, which make it a striking visual element of the church's façade.
Since its origin, the church has been a center of faith and community life in Algodres. The Parochial Memories of 1758 state that the parish, then dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Alagoa, possessed various altars, including those dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and the Child Jesus, among others. The presence of tombs inside, dating from the mid-18th century, signifies its importance as a place of memory and devotion throughout time. Recognized as a Public Interest Property in 1978, the church remains a living testament to the history and art of the region, maintaining its active religious function.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.952494,-7.0551352
Coordinates DMS: 40°57'9.0"N 07°03'18.5"W
Weather Algodres
On-duty Pharmacy Algodres
