Parochial Church of Leça da Palmeira

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Matosinhos > Leça da Palmeira > Leixões

Location

The Parish Church of Leça da Palmeira is located in the heart of the town, in Leça da Palmeira, an integral part of the municipality of Matosinhos. Situated on Avenida Dr. Fernando Aroso, one of its main thoroughfares, the church is integrated into the urban fabric, serving as a cultural and architectural landmark for those exploring the Leixões area and its surroundings.

Brief History

The history of the Parish Church of Leça da Palmeira dates back to the very beginnings of Portugal's foundation, a period when it was known as Church of S. Miguel de Moroça. Its original construction was small in size and stone-clad, with a design reminiscent of the Romanesque style, similar to some ancient churches. Although the current edifice was primarily built between 1568 and 1578, it is thought to have succeeded the primitive church, keeping alive the memory of a distant past at the site.

Architectural and Artistic Treasures

Upon entering the Parish Church, visitors encounter a space with three naves, delineated by five arches on each side. These rest on four ashlar columns with bases and capitals, complemented by two others embedded in the frontispiece, displaying exposed stone. The granite floor still preserves the presence of old walled graves, where the ashes of many community ancestors rest, with lids made of noble woods such as macacaúba and satinwood.

The ceiling of the naves, in aged and waxed brown, is enriched with gilded carvings. Notable are the seventy-five coffers in the central nave and forty-five in each side nave, elements added in 1735 that replicate the patterns existing in the main chapel. Natural lighting is provided by windows displaying simple artistic stained-glass, replacing the old iron grates and lending a luminous and serene atmosphere to the interior.

The main chapel, one of the focal points of the church, features an old gilded carved altarpiece, profusely worked in wood. This 18th-century example, completed in 1714 and gilded by the Porto painter Manuel Ribeiro, is characterized by Solomonic columns and rich ornamentation featuring grapevines, bunches of grapes, doves, acanthus leaves, and winged heads. Its rocaille-style finial was added between 1762 and 1778, completing its grandeur.

The journey through the church's interior reveals various altars of unique beauty and history. To the right, the Altarpiece of the Dead Lord displays a beautiful 19th-century articulated sculpture, of great expressiveness. On the left side, the Altarpiece of Souls or Our Lady of Carmel, a 19th-century work with Mannerist characteristics, stands out for its 20th-century sculpture, by José Ferreira Tedim.

Further ahead is the Altarpiece of the Lord of the Steps, with its realistic image that annually processes through the town's streets. On the opposite side, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, though dating to 1906 in its assembly, incorporates Baroque elements, notably a remarkable life-sized sculpture by Francisco Couceiro. Laterally to the main chapel, the Altarpiece of Saint Michael houses the image of the parish's patron saint, a masterpiece by Guilherme Tedim from 1933. In contrast, the Altarpiece of Our Lady of Fátima, also with a sculpture by Guilherme Tedim, conveys remarkable serenity.

In the sacristy, it is possible to observe a relic of the Holy Wood, which accompanies the procession of the Lord of the Steps. Upon exiting, the baptistery, enclosed by elaborate wrought iron grilles, invites careful observation. This place, which holds so many artistic and historical testimonies, is usually accessible, inviting a visit to appreciate its interior richness.

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