Church of Póvoa de Santo Adrião

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Lisboa > Odivelas > Póvoa de Santo Adrião > Bairro da Cassapia

Location

Situated in the Cassapia Neighborhood, the Church of Póvoa de Santo Adrião stands in what was the historic heart of the parish, in the locality of Póvoa de Santo Adrião, municipality of Odivelas. It is currently set within a consolidated urban environment but remains a cultural and architectural landmark, inviting a pause for observation amidst the city life.

Historical Legacy and Artistic Value

The origins of the Church of Póvoa de Santo Adrião date back to the 16th century, with records pointing to 1546 as the probable year of its foundation, a date found on a tombstone in the baptistery. This building is recognized as an important Portuguese heritage landmark, having been classified as a National Monument in 1970. Its imposing Manueline portico, by itself, had already received this distinction in 1922.

The church's architecture exhibits a fusion of styles, resulting from renovations that occurred in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the Manueline style remains prominent in the main portal, which captivates with its ogee arch decorated with rosettes and floral motifs delicately carved in stone.

Artistic Details of the Interior

The interior of the church reveals an artistic richness that deserves attention. The single nave features a notable lining of 17th-century tiles, in green and white checkered patterns, covering the walls in three distinct sections. The ceiling, constructed in "masseira" style, is adorned with paintings that include religious symbols, vegetal elements, and figures of angels, the putti.

In the upper choir, two red marble columns stand out. In the body of the church, it is possible to observe a 16th-century holy water font embedded in the wall and, in the baptistery, the ancient baptismal font with a faceted basin, also from the 16th century. The chapel of Santo António is equally valuable, lined with polychrome 17th-century tiles arranged in carpet patterns, and features a gilded carved altarpiece that frames paintings of the Annunciation and the Ascension. In the chancel, rebuilt at the end of the 18th century, the grandeur is accentuated by its dimensions and decoration. The focal point is the canvas "The Last Supper," a large-scale work by the painter Pedro Alexandrino, dated 1802, complemented by other canvases by the same artist depicting the Four Doctors of the Church.

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