Parish Church of Tendais

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Viseu > Cinfães > Tendais > Fermentãos

Location

The Tendais Parish Church is located in the Fermentãos area, nestled within the serene locality of Tendais, which belongs to the municipality of Cinfães, in the district of Viseu. The temple is situated halfway up the hillside, in an urban yet secluded environment that invites tranquility. Its churchyard, slightly below the level of the public road, offers a distinctive perspective of the building and its surroundings.

History and Antiquity

This religious building, dedicated to Saint Peter, has deep roots in local history. There are indications pointing to a very ancient Christian presence on the site, with the discovery of a funerary slab in the church wall, dating back to the Visigothic period or the Middle Ages, suggesting that the primitive church may have existed as early as the 6th century. In the 13th century, it was already a royal curacy, and in the 16th century, it was part of the royal patronage and the Diocese of Lamego. The current structure, built mainly in the 17th century, is a testament to the architectural and religious evolution of the region. Currently, the Tendais Parish Church is recognized as a Monument of Public Interest, highlighting its patrimonial value.

Architecture and Artistic Details

The church features a rectangular plan, composed of a single nave and a narrower, lower chancel, to which a side sacristy is attached. The main facade, with its straight-lintel portal, is topped by a similarly designed large window. The bell tower, a striking element separate from the main body, stands in front of the temple, with access via a stone staircase leading to its double-arched bell-chamber. Inside, the nave and chancel reveal rich decoration. Notable features include the polychrome coffered wooden ceilings, where figures of saints can be observed, and the wainscot of 17th-century pattern tiles lining the walls. The national-style altarpieces enrich the space with their details, featuring spiraled columns adorned with elements such as vine shoots and bunches of grapes, and cherubs, lending a singular beauty to the ensemble.

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