Church of the Misericórdia of Vila Nova de Cerveira

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Viana do Castelo > Vila Nova de Cerveira > Vila Nova de Cerveira > Praça da Liberdade

Location:

The Church of Misericórdia in Vila Nova de Cerveira is located in Praça da Liberdade, in the heart of the town. This temple is harmoniously integrated into the old urban fabric, occupying a space that once belonged to the castle grounds. Its north facade is seamlessly supported by the historic wall surrounding the village, giving it a distinctive presence in the landscape.

History and Renovations:

The history of the Church of Misericórdia dates back to the 16th century, with the founding of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Vila Nova de Cerveira. The building we see today is largely the result of a profound remodelling that occurred in the 19th century, which imprinted upon it the dominant neoclassical style. This process transformed its structure and decoration, adapting it to the aesthetic canons of the time, while preserving elements from earlier constructive phases.

The temple is dedicated to Senhor Ecce Homo, whose image has, throughout the centuries, been an object of profound veneration, not only by the inhabitants of the region but also by communities from neighbouring Galicia.

Architecture and Its Details:

With a transversal plan and a single nave, the church features a main facade facing south. Its portal, flanked by pilasters, is crowned by an interrupted curved pediment, which incorporates a closed royal crown over the national coat of arms, a detail that deserves close attention. Inside, the 19th-century remodelling is noticeable, with whitewashed and plastered walls contrasting with the white and gold carved valances that adorn the openings.

The ceiling, a wooden false barrel vault, is painted with decorative motifs, including medallions with the four Evangelists around a central representation of the Holy Trinity. The altarpieces, also in white and gold carving, are enriched with Pompeian motifs and lacework, which extend to the ceiling paintings, especially in the frieze above the nave's cornice.

Notable Artistic Aspects:

Despite its predominantly neoclassical character, the church preserves several elements of great historical and artistic interest. Among them, the 17th-century image of Senhor Ecce Homo, an object of great devotion, stands out. In the sacristy, there are three panels from the old 16th-century main altarpiece, which depict the Meeting of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, with a rare iconographic particularity: the inclusion of a dark-skinned maid to the right of the embracing Parents of the Virgin. A lavabo with a quadrangular frame and shell motif, topped by a Latin cross, and a quadrangular cabinet with spiralled decoration, are other notable details that enrich the site's heritage.

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