Church of Our Lady of the Ó of Águas Santas

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Maia > Águas Santas > Corga

Location

Located in the town of Águas Santas, in the municipality of Maia, this church is situated in the Corga area, more specifically in Lugar do Mosteiro, next to EN 208. Its position, in a currently urbanized area, points to a past where a larger monastic complex once stood, of which only the temple has survived, offering a glimpse into local history integrated into the urban landscape.

A Millennial Legacy

The history of the Church of Nossa Senhora do Ó de Águas Santas dates back centuries, with deep roots in the region's identity. The first documented references to this parish, then designated as "sanctam mariam de aquas sanctas", can be found in the "Livro Preto" (Black Book) of the Coimbra Cathedral. The temple observed today has its origins in the year 1120, being the most visible remnant of an earlier primitive convent built in 974, south of the church.

Throughout the centuries, its walls welcomed monks from various orders, such as that of Saint Augustine, Saint Joseph of Jerusalem, and later, the Order of Malta, witnessing a rich succession of monastic presences. The historical and architectural importance of the church was officially recognized, having been classified as a National Monument in 1910.

Romanesque Details and Markers of Time

The church's architecture is predominantly Romanesque, a notable feature on its main façade. Here, a portal stands out with pointed arch archivolts and vegetal capitals, inviting detailed observation of the stone carving. Laterally, a massive and rectangular bell tower rises, with a pyramidal roof, adding impressiveness to the architectural ensemble.

In the churchyard, next to the wall, it is possible to observe a set of five monolithic sarcophagi, true vestiges of the early Middle Ages. One of them, in particular, displays a sculpted coat of arms and a circular cross, offering a fascinating glimpse into the funerary art of the era.

Exploring the exterior, on the north side façade, another ogival-style portal is discovered, whose tympanum features a relief of a Maltese Cross. Higher up, pre-Romanesque capitals and a series of corbels with phytomorphic motifs and human head figures adorn the construction, inviting careful observation of the sculptural details that distinguish it.

The Interior Space and its Art

Inside, the church reveals a structure divided into three naves, with the central one being higher, connected by modernized arches. The wooden ceiling contributes to a welcoming and introspective atmosphere. Noteworthy is the triumphal arch preceding the chancel, bearing a figurative Romanesque capital depicting an animal and a mermaid, an element of singular artistic beauty and symbolism.

The contents of this temple also include some altarpieces of Baroque gilded carving, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, which enrich the space and bear witness to the evolution of artistic styles and devotion over time, complementing the solidity of its Romanesque structure.

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