Church of St. John of Ventosa

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Golegã > Azinhaga > Brôa

Location

The Church of S. João da Ventosa stands in the tranquil Brôa area, a rural locality within Azinhaga, in the municipality of Golegã. Its location in the heart of the lezíria (floodplain), surrounded by extensive fields, gives it an isolated and serene atmosphere, where the church's structure stands out in the rural landscape. Near the building, there are vestiges of the old manor house of the family that founded this temple, highlighting the historical connection of the complex to the land.

A Historical Legacy

Dating from the 16th century, the Church of S. João da Ventosa possesses a rich and singular history. It was built by the influential Zuzarte (or Juzarte) family, who played a significant role in its foundation and development. One of the most notable aspects of its past is its union, formalized in 1517, with the Sacrosanct Papal Lateran Basilica in Rome. This particular affiliation granted the church a special status, allowing for the concession of indulgences to the faithful on certain dates of the year. The church survived the 1755 earthquake, an event which, although it destroyed the neighboring manor, spared the temple, preserving much of its original configuration. Inside, tombstones mark the resting place of members of the founding family, including Cristóvão Zuzarte, his wife, and a daughter.

Architecture and Details

The architecture of the Church of S. João da Ventosa reveals a fusion of styles, with a predominance of Manueline and Baroque elements. The main portal is particularly notable, displaying sculpted stonework with Manueline motifs, such as vegetal elements, half-spheres, and intertwined ropes, which attest to the mastery of the era. Above this portal are the arms of the founding family and the papal coat of arms, visible symbols of its history and its connection to Rome. By the end of the 18th century, the main facade underwent alterations, coming to feature an undulating pediment, crowned by a Latin cross and pinnacles. Although the interior is currently stripped of much of its original ornamentation, it is still possible to discern the grandeur of its structure and the beauty of elements such as the triumphal arch and the pilasters that project from the back wall, whose features point to the transition period between the 17th and 18th centuries.

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