Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Vila Real > Sabrosa > Paços > Assento de Paços
Paços Church stands in the heart of the village of Paços, in the municipality of Sabrosa. This sacred building is isolated, set on an artificial platform that serves as a churchyard, creating an elevated and distinct space in the urban center. From this point, one can enjoy a splendid panorama of the landscape surrounding the locality, offering an inviting view to visitors. The churchyard, paved with cobblestones and embellished by a small landscaped area, is delimited by a visible stone wall with ashlar capping, which harmoniously integrates into the steep topography of the terrain.
The history of Paços Church, whose patron saint is São Salvador (Saint Savior), dates back to the 18th century, a period during which its construction was carried out in two distinct phases. This temple replaced a primitive church, of smaller dimensions and great antiquity, whose roots were already in the 12th century. It is worth noting that, despite the great earthquake of 1755 having caused significant damage in many parts of the country, this church, fortunately, did not suffer considerable ruin, preserving its structure and beauty throughout the centuries until today.
Paços Church is a remarkable example of late Baroque architecture, an artistic expression that manifests itself in every detail of its design. The main façade is imposing, distinguished by the bell tower that rises above the main portal, which features a segmental arch, adorned with cut-out cartouches and phytomorphic motifs. Decorative elements such as volutes and shell motifs ornament the side windows, while the corners of the structure are finished with pilasters culminating in granite ashlar finials, lending a touch of solemnity and grandeur to the ensemble. The side façades, with simple lines and painted white, are punctuated by large windows and transverse doors, complementing the formal harmony of the building.
Inside, the church invites contemplation, benefiting from axial and bilateral natural lighting that highlights the beauty and depth of the space. The walls, coated in white, feature a wainscot of bicolor azulejos in shades of blue and white, elegantly contrasting with the wooden floor. Above an ashlar cornice, a false wooden rib vault rises, decorated with painted ribs and vegetal motifs, covering the nave. The high choir, in ashlar with a balustrade railing, and the baptistery, with its circular basin baptismal font and wide lobes, are points of interest. Also noteworthy are the side pulpits with their rich gilded carving and the valances in carved wood that adorn doors and windows. The chancel, narrower and lower, houses a magnificent main altarpiece of national gilded carving, where twisted columns adorned with birds and vine leaves guide the eye to an expository throne richly adorned with angels. The side chapels, in turn, display polychrome carved altarpieces, further enriching the sacred atmosphere of the temple.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.2562784,-7.5942842
Coordinates DMS: 41°15'22.6"N 07°35'39.4"W
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On-duty Pharmacy Paços
