Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Parada de Monteiros > Bairro Novo
The Church of Saint Peter is located in Bairro Novo, in Parada de Monteiros, municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar. It is situated in the heart of the village, in one of its main squares, on a platform adapted to the slope of the terrain. This setting gives it a remarkable presence, with the churchyard punctuated by rock outcrops and delimited by a stonework wall. In front, a granite bell tower stands, marking the entrance. In the background, the landscape opens up to agricultural fields, complementing the serenity of the location.
The history of the Church of Saint Peter has deep roots, dating back to the 13th century, when this region was repopulated. It was during this period that a chapel dedicated to Saint Peter was established, serving as the basis for the future parish church. The building observed today is the result of successive interventions and constructions that occurred between the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. This evolution over the centuries resulted in an architecture that harmoniously integrates Mannerist and Baroque elements, bearing witness to the different eras and styles that shaped its design.
The Church of Saint Peter, with a rectangular plan, stands out for its balanced composition. On the exterior, the nave's facades feature white plaster, contrasting with the exposed stonework of the chancel. The main facade, facing west, is enhanced by a straight lintel portal, surmounted by a semicircular pediment and a niche housing the image of the patron saint. Inside, the space welcomes visitors with plastered and white-painted walls, where a wainscot of bicolour pattern tiles, in shades of blue and white, can be seen. The wooden floor and the false barrel vault ceiling, made of varnished and painted wood, contribute to the temple's atmosphere. The choir loft, also made of wood, and the stonework pulpit are prominent elements. In the chancel, the main altarpiece is a central piece, in polychrome and gilded carving, with twisted columns ornamented by angels, vine shoots and birds, and a central tribune, revealing the artistic richness of the Baroque.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.5645363,-7.7202683
Coordinates DMS: 41°33'52.3"N 07°43'13.0"W
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