Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Vila Real > Alijó > Sanfins do Douro > Centro
The Church of Sanfins do Douro rises in the heart of the eponymous village, located in the municipality of Alijó. Situated on the back of a hill, it benefits from an elevated position on a platform, which gives it a central and prominent role in the local urban landscape. Its position is naturally integrated into the sloping terrain that characterizes this Alto Douro region.
The foundation of the Sanfins do Douro parish in 1727 marks a significant moment in the village's religious history. On August 15th of that year, the church's main altar was blessed and consecrated by D. Rodrigo de Moura Teles. Initially dedicated to Santa Maria Maior (Saint Mary Major), the church is now consecrated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The memory of Saint Margaret, as a previous patron saint, reflects the continuity of faith and devotion traditions that have spanned centuries in this place.
Beyond its spiritual purpose, the Church of Sanfins do Douro has, over time, assumed a crucial role in preserving local memory. For centuries, its dependencies served as an archive, where parish registers spanning the period between 1544 and 1895 were carefully kept. These historical documents are valuable testimonies to the life and evolution of the community, offering a glimpse into the traditions, events, and experiences that shaped Sanfins do Douro.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.2935107,-7.5182483
Coordinates DMS: 41°17'36.6"N 07°31'5.7"W
Weather Sanfins do Douro
On-duty Pharmacy Sanfins do Douro
