Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Porto > Trofa > Coronado > São Mamede
The Church of São Mamede do Coronado is located in the locality of Coronado, which is part of the union of parishes of Coronado (São Romão and São Mamede), in the municipality of Trofa. Situated in a quiet urban environment and on a gentle slope, the church is preceded by a spacious churchyard. This outdoor space, paved with granite cubes, is delimited by a robust stone masonry wall and offers an inviting atmosphere, with stone benches and trees that provide shade and serenity.
The history of the Church of São Mamede dates back to ancient times, with the first parish records dating from 1586, documenting baptisms, marriages, and deaths in the community. However, the origins of the site are even deeper, with historical references to "Villa Cornato" (Coronado) as early as 1013, suggesting that it was a settlement of some importance. The lands of São Mamede, in turn, were historically linked to the Benedictine monks of the Monastery of Santo Tirso. Although the temple has undergone various interventions over the centuries, the date of 1777, engraved on its main portal, marks a significant renovation that shaped much of the structure admired today.
This religious building, reflecting architectural evolution between the 17th and 20th centuries, features a main facade facing east, built in exposed granite ashlar, with a design that boasts the beauty of the Baroque style in its pilasters and cornices. The entrance portal, with the date 1777 highlighted, is topped by a semicircular pediment, and above it, a niche houses the image of the patron saint, São Mamede. Attached to the right side facade, the 19th-century bell tower stands out for its height and its polychrome patterned tile cladding, giving it a striking presence in the local landscape.
Upon entering, visitors are enveloped by the serenity and artistic richness of the interior, where the white-plastered walls are embellished with blue and white tile wainscoting, introducing a harmonious pattern. Attention is quickly drawn to the ceilings, formed by false barrel vaults and profusely decorated with painted coffers, which narrate stories and present Eucharistic and salvific symbolisms. The choir loft, made of wood and with a balustraded railing, houses an imposing pipe organ, while the baptistery stands out for its stone font, with a representation of the Baptism of Christ in tile.
The nave is flanked by several side chapels, each with its gilded altarpiece, dedicated to invocations such as Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Anthony, Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Our Lady of Sorrows. Particularly noteworthy is the representation of a grotto on the wall, evoking the apparition of Our Lady in Lourdes. The pulpit, dating from 1682, with its stone basin and gilded carved railing, is another element worth a close look. In the chancel, the Rococo-style main altarpiece of gilded carving stands majestically, with twisted columns and an exposition throne culminating in a canvas dedicated to the ascension of São Mamede.
The Church of São Mamede do Coronado is also an open book of visual narratives. In the nave, blue and white tile panels recount passages from the life and martyrdom of São Mamede, from his birth and the martyrdom of his parents, his presence before Emperor Aurelian, to his own martyrdom and the emblematic encounter with the lion. These detailed representations offer a glimpse into the devotion to the patron saint and his importance in local history. The chromatic richness is complemented by the stained-glass windows that adorn the windows, illuminating the space with biblical scenes such as the Resurrection of Christ, the Baptism, the Crucifixion, and the Annunciation, inviting contemplation and appreciation of sacred art.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.2758507,-8.5725858
Coordinates DMS: 41°16'33.1"N 08°34'21.3"W
Weather Coronado
On-duty Pharmacy Coronado
