Parish Church of Our Lady of the Conception

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Porto > Porto

Location

The Parish Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição stands imposingly in Praça do Marquês de Pombal, a prominent urban area in the city of Porto. Its recessed placement relative to the square creates a wide churchyard, preceded by a majestic three-flight staircase, flanked by robust granite walls. This setting gives the church a unique presence in the urban fabric, distinguishing it within its environment.

Around it, the area is marked by architecture dating back to the early 20th century, including residential buildings designed by Architect Marques da Silva and a mansion housing a vocational school. The elevated position of the church and the open space in front provide an interesting vantage point over the surroundings of Praça do Marquês.

Origins and Architecture

The history of the Church of Senhora da Conceição, also known locally as Igreja do Marquês, is relatively recent. Its cornerstone was blessed in December 1938, with construction beginning the following year. The formal dedication of the temple took place in December 1947, a significant milestone for the Catholic community of Porto.

The architectural project, designed by Father Paulo Bellot and architect Rogério de Azevedo, presents a fusion of styles, with a strong Neo-Gothic Revivalist influence. However, its original design, which foresaw the use of brick and polychrome mosaic, was rejected by the authorities of the time, resulting in the choice of granite and marble, materials that today define its robust and traditional aesthetic.

Exterior and Imposing Presence

On the exterior, the church impresses with its size and the asymmetry of its two towers. The bell tower, to the left of the main facade, reaches approximately fifty-six meters in height, displaying an octagonal plan and topped by a slender pyramidal roof. The smaller tower, to the right, at thirty-one meters, complements the composition.

The main facade, facing east, is built of carved stonework, with a triangular gable, and is marked by four buttresses that flank the three access doors. Above these doors, large sculptures stand out, such as those of Saint Anthony, Saint John of God, Blessed Nuno Álvares Pereira, and Saint John de Britto, each two and a half meters tall. At the top of the gable, a high-relief of the Immaculate Conception, flanked by angels, crowns the ensemble.

Light and Art in the Interior

Upon entering the temple, the visitor is greeted by a narthex that precedes the three main naves. The interior is divided by two orders of six octagonal columns, which branch out to form elongated and open arches, conferring a sense of amplitude and verticality. The triumphal arch, which separates the apse from the naves, is profusely decorated, adding a touch of richness to the space.

Natural light floods the interior through numerous pentagonal stained glass windows, which create a vibrant and colorful scenic effect. The ceilings of the naves are vaulted, punctuated by beams with circular cutouts. In the side naves, there are ten chapels, each adorned with figurative tile panels depicting passages of devotion to the Virgin Mary, framed by inlaid multi-colored marble. The transept, in turn, is embellished by a fresco painting representing the coronation of the Virgin as Queen of Heaven.

In the choir loft, above the narthex, there is a large pipe organ with 2660 pipes, a prominent element due to its imposing size and its capacity to enrich the temple's sound environment. In the octagonal-plan baptistery chapel, frescoes and stained glass windows complement the rich decoration, illustrating scenes of baptism.

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