Church of Saint John the Baptist

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Lisboa > Sintra > A-do-Pipo > São João das Lampas e Terrugem

Location

The Church of São João Degolado stands in A-do-Pipo, within the union of parishes of São João das Lampas and Terrugem, belonging to the municipality of Sintra. It is situated on flat land, adjacent to the main road, and benefits from a large churchyard delimited by a wall, which gives it a visible setting and a prominent presence in the local urban landscape.

Historical Roots and Evolution

The history of the Church of São João Degolado dates back to the 15th century, a period when the village of Terrugem was established as a parish seat. Throughout the centuries, the temple was subjected to various interventions and modifications, but it still retains significant elements of its original design. The oldest parts, dating from the 16th century, reveal the influence of the Manueline style, especially visible in its chancel and triumphal arch. This construction phase reflects a time of particular artistic flourishing during the reign of D. Manuel I, who promoted the modernization of many churches throughout the country. The building is now recognized as a Monument of Public Interest, a lasting testament to the faith and art of various eras.

Exterior Architectural Elements

The church's structure is characterized by a single, rectangular nave. One of its most distinctive features is the rustic porch, a galilee that precedes the main entrance and extends along the right side facade to the bell tower. This element is a common feature in the religious architecture of the Saloia region. The porch features simple columned openings supporting a single-pitched roof. On the left side of the facade, the bell tower stands out, a quadrangular construction added in the 18th century. With its perfect round arches, topped by pinnacles and a peculiar dome, the tower also includes a remarkable large stone sundial, placed on its western face in 1807.

The Richness of the Interior

Upon entering, the visitor encounters a nave whose walls are adorned with patterned tiles, predominantly blue and yellow, dated 1681. To the left, a door with a perfect round arch leads to the baptismal chapel, where one can observe a central baptismal font and a panel of polychrome tiles depicting the Baptism of Christ. On the same wall, the pulpit with its marble base can be found. The transition to the chancel is made through a 16th-century triumphal arch, richly decorated with archivolts and vegetal capitals. The chancel, with rectangular proportions, highlights the Manueline period, with a covering in a poly-ribbed vault of two bays, supported by corbels and adorned with keystones displaying medallions and gargoyles. The marble altar dates from 1824 and houses a polychrome sculpture of the church's patron saint.

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