Cristelo Cruise

Category: Religious Architecture > Stone Cross

District: Viana do Castelo > Paredes de Coura > Cristelo

Location

The Cristelo Wayside Cross is located in the heart of the locality of Cristelo, in the municipality of Paredes de Coura. Its central position, on Church Avenue, stands opposite the parish church and assumes a prominent role in the village's architectural and religious ensemble.

A Legacy Through Time

This wayside cross is a remarkable testimony to local history and faith. The date 1619 is engraved on its stone, granting it significant antiquity and establishing it as one of Cristelo's oldest and most valuable heritage elements. In addition to the date, the monument bears the initials "B.L.O.F.", a detail that invites reflection on its origin or its benefactors.

Features and Symbolism

The structure of the Cristelo Wayside Cross is worthy of observation for its composition and details. It rests on an elevated base, consisting of a three-step platform and an additional step that serves as the foundation for the entire construction. Its pedestal is robust, with a well-defined plinth, dado, and cornice. The column, with a cylindrical and slightly tapered shaft, rises from a worked base, culminating in a Corinthian-style capital that demonstrates particular care in its execution.

At the top, the cross is carved from a single block, presenting interesting peculiarities: its upper arms are trilobed and adorned with incisions, suggesting that they may not be from the same period as the vertical shaft. This architectural element contributes to the monument's uniqueness, which historically serves to mark a point of devotion and reinforces the religious identity of Cristelo's landscape.

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