Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Maior of Tarouquela

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Viseu > Cinfães > Tarouquela > Vista Alegre

Location

The Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Maior de Tarouquela is nestled in a serene landscape, in the locality of Tarouquela, municipality of Cinfães, in the area known as Vista Alegre. Situated halfway up a slope, this church dominates a rural area, surrounded by extensive vineyards that stretch to the banks of the Douro River. Its position, isolated and separated from the fields by a traditional churchyard, lends it an atmosphere of tranquility and contemplation. Outside, next to the church and the adjacent cemetery, some tomb chests can be observed.

Historical Context and Monastic Legacy

This remarkable building is what remains of a former female monastery, founded by Benedictine nuns, which operated on this site until the 16th century. The construction of the current church, which was erected between the late 12th and early 13th centuries, reflects the profound influence of the Benedictine reform on the architecture and Romanesque art of the region. Its long history is intrinsically linked to monastic life and to the seigneurial families who, throughout the centuries, played a crucial role in its development and maintenance. Since 1945, the church has been classified as a National Monument, and since 2010, it has been part of the Romanesque Route, a recognition of its inestimable heritage value.

The Expressiveness of Romanesque Sculpture

On the exterior of the church, the visitor's attention is immediately captured by the main portal, a true gallery of Romanesque forms and symbols. Its tympanum, elegantly decorated with a floral motif, is flanked by two sculptures of quadrupeds that, due to their singular shape, are popularly known as the Tarouquela dogs. These figures, holding what appear to be human representations in their jaws, symbolized protection and the ability to ward off evil. The corbels supporting the roof cornice also exhibit a rich variety of decorations, with fantastic, figurative, and animal motifs, including one that was hidden by a later chapel.

Gothic Features and Interior Treasures

In the 15th century, more specifically between 1481 and 1495, the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist was built, later adapted into a sacristy, introducing elements of the Gothic style. This addition is a testament to the monastery's relationship with the powerful local nobility. Inside the temple, with a single nave and deep chancel, there are elements that deserve close attention. A valuable sculpture of the enthroned Virgin breastfeeding the Child stands out, dated to the 16th century, whose quality of execution suggests a provenance from a Brussels workshop. The interior walls and windows reveal richly decorated arches and historiated capitals, preserving traces of the original polychromy in the triumphal arch. The wooden ceiling and the few, yet symbolic, openings to the exterior, such as oculus windows and arrow slits, contribute to the solemn and welcoming atmosphere of the space.

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