Church of the Savior (Aveleda)

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Lousada > Aveleda

Location

It is located in the parish of Aveleda, municipality of Lousada, in the place of the Church.

Historical Importance

It was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1978, due to its heritage value and its integration into the Romanesque Route of the Sousa Valley.

Architectural Style

The church is an example of the persistence of the Romanesque style in Portugal, with some very late characteristics of this period.

Main Portal

The western portal (main entrance) presents quite late Romanesque elements, similar to those of other churches in the region, such as São Vicente de Sousa, Salvador de Unhão, and São Gens de Boelhe.

Side Portals

Without columns and of a simpler style, they are signs of a Romanesque already quite advanced in time. These details show that the construction was made in the late 13th or early 14th century.

Corbels

The corbels (decorations on the ends of the walls) are smooth and simple, another indication of the late period of construction.

Foundation of the Church

Although the main construction is from the 13th or 14th centuries, it is believed that the original foundation of the church dates back to the 11th or 12th centuries.

Later Modifications

The sacristy, the chancel, and the bell tower were altered in the 17th and 18th centuries, which adds layers of history to the church.

Visit

When visiting, it is interesting to observe how the church reflects the transition of different styles over the centuries, maintaining Romanesque features despite the reforms.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_do_Salvador_de_Aveleda

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