Church of São Mamede / Old Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Paços de Ferreira > Seroa

Location

The Church of São Mamede, also known as the Old Church, is located in the town of Seroa, part of the municipality of Paços de Ferreira. The building stands halfway up a mountainous elevation, in a slightly raised position relative to the public road. Access is gained via a granite staircase, which leads to a churchyard also paved with granite, encompassing the main façade and inviting a peaceful visit to the site.

A Brief Journey Through Time

The origins of the Church of São Mamede date back to the 13th century, a period when it is believed to have been built. Over the centuries, this parish church witnessed several transformations and a period of abandonment, especially from 1866 onwards, when a new church was built in the parish. For almost a century, the Old Church was roofless and in ruins. However, between 2004 and 2007, it underwent extensive conservation and enhancement works, which allowed it to recover its dignity and function as a place of worship, currently being a Monument of Public Interest.

Features of Romanesque Architecture

The Church of São Mamede is a notable example of late Romanesque architecture, characterized by its longitudinal plan, consisting of a single rectangular nave and a square-shaped chancel, slightly lower and smaller in dimensions. Its facades, built of exposed granite masonry, are punctuated by narrow slits that bathe the interior with natural light. Attentive observers may discover consecration crosses carved into some of the exterior stones, as seen on the south portal. Interestingly, the main façade reveals a slight asymmetry, with the bell tower off-center in relation to the door and window, a detail that adds character to the construction.

Mural Paintings and Foundational Tombs

Inside the church, the chancel preserves traces of valuable fresco paintings, which extend across the entire rear wall and part of the side walls. The upper part displays decorative compositions with vegetal elements enclosing a coat of arms, while the lower part is divided into vertical panels depicting figures, such as Saint Benedict and Saint Bernard, and, probably, Saint Mamede, the patron saint. The nave walls also reveal repetitive decorative patterns of quatrefoils in shades of red and ochre. Outside, flanking the main door, two trapezoidal granite sarcophagi can be observed, believed to belong to Martim Anes and his sister Maria Anes, probable founders of the church, connecting the visitor to its earliest history.

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