Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > Castro Daire > Castro Daire > Braços de Cá
The Mother Church of Castro Daire is located in the town of the same name, in the area known as Braços de Cá. It stands at the top of a hill, in a prominent position in the urban landscape. It is surrounded by a landscaped churchyard, adorned with large trees, which provides a calm environment and invites a moment of tranquility. Next to the main facade, there is a cruzeiro (stone cross), which contributes to the historical and symbolic setting of the place.
The history of the Mother Church of Castro Daire dates back to an earlier medieval church, dedicated to Saint Peter, which was replaced by the current construction. Local tradition tells that King D. Dinis, upon passing through Castro Daire, authorized the stone from the old fortified settlement, which gave rise to the village, to be used in the construction of that primitive church. The construction of the temple seen today began at the end of the 17th century and continued until the beginning of the 18th century, being completed, according to an inscription, in 1735. Due to its historical and architectural relevance, the church is classified as a Property of Public Interest.
The Mother Church building is mostly constructed of granite masonry, with robust walls and a layout that reveals well-articulated volumes. Although its original construction fits within the Baroque and Rococo styles of the 18th century, the main facade, facing west, features a distinct Neoclassical style, the result of a reform carried out in the 19th century. This facade stands out for its tripartite central body, topped by a triangular pediment with an oval oculus, and by the bell tower attached to the left side, which includes a circular clock and a bulbous roof. The initial intention of symmetry on the facade can be observed at the base of a second tower that was never erected.
Inside, the Mother Church of Castro Daire reveals a luminous space, with plastered and whitewashed walls, and a granite slab floor. The nave, divided into sections by Tuscan pilasters, culminates in a narrower and equally remarkable chancel. The Rococo choir stalls of the chancel stand out, an exquisite work by the carver Timóteo Correia Monteiro. The chancel ceiling is decorated with 49 gilded wooden coffers, and the walls display a wainscot of polychrome tiles, complemented by painted canvases. In the nave, there are several side altarpieces, including the notable altar of the Brotherhood of Souls, a beautiful example of Baroque gilded carving, profusely ornamented with angels and phytomorphic elements. In the high choir, an imposing pipe organ, with its white-painted carved case, awaits visitors' appreciation.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.89829226,-7.93489681
Coordinates DMS: 40°53'53.9"N 07°56'5.6"W
Weather Castro Daire
On-duty Pharmacy Castro Daire
