Church of Saint Peter (Ferreira Monastery)

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Paços de Ferreira > Ferreira > Gilde

Location

The Church of São Pedro, once an integral part of the Monastery of Ferreira, is located in the Gilde area, a tranquil part of the town of Ferreira, which belongs to the municipality of Paços de Ferreira. Its presence marks a region that, in the Middle Ages, was central to agricultural and cultural development.

A Historical Legacy

This unique building, formerly known as the Convent of São Pedro de Ferreira, is a valuable testament to the region's past. It represents an ancient monastic complex that exerted a notable influence on the settlement and cultural progress of the area.

Its importance has been officially recognized since 1928, the year it was classified as a National Monument, highlighting its relevance in Portuguese architectural and historical heritage.

Romanesque Robustness

The church, an impressive example of 12th-century Romanesque architecture, is characterized by its remarkable strength and solidity. The single-nave structure is enhanced by buttresses added both externally and internally, giving it an imposing presence.

On the exterior, the gaze is drawn to its main portal, composed of five arches, whose simple columns and capitals are richly worked. Adjacent to it, an external narthex, accompanied by a bell tower, although from a later period, integrates harmoniously with the original 12th-century construction.

The two side doors of the church also deserve attention, for the beauty of their stonework, which reveals the influence of a local artistic school, with similarities to other works in the region.

Artistic Features Indoors

Inside the Church of São Pedro, the architecture reveals a fascinating confluence of styles. The exterior portal, for example, exhibits traits of the Zamora school, while the ornamentation of the capitals seems to echo the Coimbra school.

The space leads to the chancel, which is distinguished by its polygonal shape and a deep mitred arcade, demonstrating clear Galician influence. The vault of this chapel has two bays, whose shape and volume are revealed with great clarity.

Inside the church, a Manueline-style baptistery font, bearing the coat of arms of D. Diogo de Sousa, is noteworthy. The interior atmosphere is completed by a Gothic image of Saint Peter, dating from the 16th century, which depicts the patron saint of the former monastery.

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