Parish Church of Freixiosa

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Viseu > Mangualde > Freixiosa

Location:

The Freixiosa Parish Church is nestled in the serene locality of Freixiosa, in the municipality of Mangualde. Situated at a central point of the village, this church offers an atmosphere of tranquility, inviting a moment of pause and observation of the rural surroundings.

Architectural Features:

Dedicated to Santa Luzia (Saint Lucy), the church reveals an architecture with a clear and uncluttered language. Its main facade stands out due to the absence of excessive decorative elements, featuring a rectangular portal which, in its simplicity, invites entry. Above, a generously sized window, also rectangular, ensures the entry of natural light. The triangular pediment, with a granite cornice that evokes a classical style, is adorned by a round oculus, which filters light through a stained-glass window, and displays a cross at its apex.

Next to it, the bell tower stands imposing in three distinct sections, marked by granite ashlar cornices. The middle section houses a clock, while the upper, narrower section, displays four open windows for the bells. The entire structure is topped by a pyramid that culminates in a granite cross. Inside, the church features a single nave leading to the chancel, and an adjacent sacristy extending in parallel, completing its functional layout.

Historical Path and Preservation:

The first records concerning the Freixiosa parish date back to the 18th century, a period when it was known as a curacy, then under the authority of the rector of São Julião de Mangualde. Over the centuries, the building has undergone various interventions aimed at its enhancement and preservation. A notable example of these requalification works occurred in 2022, extending not only to the church's interior but also to its churchyard, contributing to the maintenance of its patrimonial value and current aesthetic.

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