Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Portalegre > Fronteira > Cabeço de Vide
The Church of the Holy Spirit is located in Cabeço de Vide, a town in the municipality of Fronteira. It is harmoniously situated in a landscaped square, integrated into the typical urban fabric of the village, inviting a moment of pause and observation.
Currently, what remains of the Church of the Holy Spirit are primarily the ruins of its nave, with visible vestiges of the old main door that once opened to the west. Despite its ruined condition, this site continues to be a tangible link to the community's history, allowing a glimpse into the size and importance the temple once held.
Next to the church ruins stands the imposing Cruzeiro do Espírito Santo (Cross of the Holy Spirit), classified as a National Monument since 1910. This cruzeiro, dating from the 16th century, is a remarkable piece of stonework and marble. Set on a platform of Portuguese pavement and three steps, it is composed of a robust column with a richly decorated capital. Carved in relief on it are the figures of Our Lady of Piety and Christ, culminating in a stone cross topped by a dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit. The ensemble, about five meters high, is delimited and protected by pyramidal plinths connected by iron chains, giving it a striking presence in the square.
The original Church of the Holy Spirit was built in 1577, a remarkable project that came to fruition thanks to the generous contributions of the residents of Cabeço de Vide themselves, as an old inscription recalled. It was, for a long time, the second largest church in the municipality of Fronteira, after the Mother Church. However, over the centuries, it suffered from time and various misfortunes, leading to the collapse of the vault in 1929 and the cessation of worship. In the 1960s, the remaining structure was demolished. Despite its demise, the history of the place remains alive, notably through the Confraria do Espírito Santo (Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit), once based here. One of its syndics, Brás Gonçalves Figueiró, undertook a pilgrimage on foot to Rome in the 16th century to unite the local brotherhood with its Roman counterpart, a remarkable feat that strengthened the community's religious ties. A tombstone on site, marking his burial place, attests to his legacy and dedication.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.1331489,-7.5921831
Coordinates DMS: 39°07'59.3"N 07°35'31.9"W
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