Parish Church of Afonsim

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Alvão > Reguengo

Location

The Parish Church of Afonsim, also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, is located in the locality of Alvão, in Reguengo, in the municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar. The temple stands on an elevated point, slightly set back from the residential area, offering a peaceful setting and wide views of the surrounding landscape. Access is via staircases that lead to a spacious churchyard, delimited by a granite ashlar wall punctuated by pinnacles, inviting contemplation and a peaceful stroll.

Outside, within the churchyard perimeter, one can observe a Via Sacra (Stations of the Cross), marked by simply designed granite crosses. The space also houses old gravestones, such as one dated 1889, which evoke the memory and history of those who lived there, lending a timeless character to the place.

History and Cultural Heritage

The structure of the Parish Church of Afonsim observed today mainly dates from the mid-18th century, revealing features of late Baroque architecture. However, the presence of older elements, visible especially in the sacristy, suggests that the current building may have been erected on the foundations of an earlier medieval temple.

The 18th-century reconstruction was largely financed by Manuel José de Carvalho, a notable benefactor originally from Ruival who made his fortune in Brazil. The date 1750, inscribed above the main portal, marks the probable completion of these significant works, which provided the community with a remarkable example of religious architecture from that period.

Architectural and Artistic Features

The church's main facade, facing east, presents a three-body organization, with the bell tower prominent in the center. The richly molded lintelled portal stands out, above which there is a niche with the image of Our Lady of the Assumption, the patron saint of the temple. The Tuscan pilasters and decorative elements, such as the flaming urns, contribute to the edifice's imposing appearance.

Upon entering, visitors are enveloped by the atmosphere of the interiors, characterized by bright white walls and wooden false barrel vault ceilings, painted in soft shades of blue, some with traces of friezes. The nave is enriched by two granite and wood pulpits, arranged facing each other, and discreetly embedded confessionals. The side and collateral chapels house altarpieces with elaborate polychrome and gilded carving, culminating in the magnificent main altarpiece, a late Baroque masterpiece with delicate Rococo elements, which capture the eye with their complexity and beauty.

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