Parish Church of Poiares / Church of Saint Michael

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Vila Real > Peso da Régua > Poiares > Cabana

Location:

The church is located in the area known as Cabana, in the village of Poiares, municipality of Peso da Régua. It stands in a small churchyard paved with traditional cobblestones, slightly elevated in relation to municipal road M593.

In the immediate vicinity, Douro vineyards and olive groves stretch out, creating a rural backdrop that enhances the presence of the religious building. Access is via dirt tracks and small, cobbled streets characteristic of the region.

Architectural Features

The temple features a plain, white-painted facade, highlighted by ashlar granite frames. The main portal boasts a round arch framed by Tuscan pilasters and crowned by a broken pediment, where the parish coat of arms is housed.

To the left stands the bell tower, also in granite, with a quadrangular base, featuring a clock and bell chamber on the upper level, crowned by a hemispherical dome. The stone cross, topped by a finial and an iron cross, marks the vertical axis of the facade.

Aesthetics and Atmosphere

In the center of the churchyard is a granite calvary, composed of a monolithic column and a circular base, where a statue of the Virgin Mary, painted in white and blue, rests. This element adds a focal point and offers interesting photographic framing opportunities, especially with a clear sky as a backdrop.

The surrounding area is punctuated by medium-sized trees that cast soft shadows over the cobblestone ground, creating contrasts of light and shadow throughout the day. The absence of high walls creates a direct relationship between the interior of the churchyard and the surrounding landscape, imparting a serene atmosphere.

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