Nogueira Church

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte da Barca > Nogueira > Cotinho

Location

The Church of Nogueira is situated within the urbanization or Cotinho area, in the heart of the locality of Nogueira, belonging to the municipality of Ponte da Barca. The parish of Nogueira, of which the church is an integral part, is located in the picturesque Vale do Vade, an area named after the river that flows through it. The toponym "Nogueira" suggests a connection to the eponymous tree, the walnut tree, pointing to the significant presence of this species in the local landscape.

Historical Memory

The history of the Church of Nogueira dates back centuries, with its first documentary mentions appearing between 1085 and 1089, then referred to as "Sancto Romano de Nogaria". A significant milestone occurred in 1190, when the church was donated to the Monastery of Crasto, appearing with the designations of "Santi Romani" and "Sancta Olaya". However, the denomination "Sancto Romano de Nogueira" quickly consolidated, being the only one used by 1220, in the Inquiries of D. Afonso II. Its importance in the territory was evident, integrating the "Terra da Nóbrega" around 1320 and, later, in 1528, associated with the Monastery of S. Martinho de Crasto.

Architecture and Relevance

The Church of Nogueira is an example of local religious architecture, presenting a baroque design that stands out in the parish landscape. The temple has a longitudinal plan, characterized by a single nave and a well-defined chancel. On the main façade, a bell tower rises, an element attached to the body of the church. Its current configuration is, in large part, the result of an important restoration carried out in 1845, which gave it the characteristics observed today.

The Patron Saint of the Parish

Local devotion is concentrated on Saint Roman, who is the patron saint of the parish of Nogueira. This religious figure is central to the community, being the patron to whom the church is dedicated. The annual celebration in honor of Saint Roman traditionally takes place in November, a period that brings together the inhabitants of the locality around their traditions and faith.

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