Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > Sernancelhe > Sarzeda > Sernancelhe e Sarzeda
The Church of Sarzeda, also known as the Church of Santa Luzia, is located in the village of Sarzeda, belonging to the municipality of Sernancelhe. It is situated in a central and flat area of the village, standing out in the rustic urban landscape that surrounds it. Its position, at the confluence of several streets, allows the building to naturally integrate into the daily life of the community and serve as a landmark for visitors to the village.
The construction of the current Church of Sarzeda dates back, according to estimates, to the 16th or 17th centuries, although some evidence suggests it might have been built on the foundations of an earlier Romanesque structure, of which some side portals could be remnants. A date of "1693" engraved on the main façade indicates the execution of significant architectural arrangement works during that period.
Historically, in the 18th century, the parish of Sarzeda was under the influence of the Order of Malta, which held the privilege of appointing the priest responsible for the church. Throughout the 20th century, the temple underwent several restoration interventions that contributed to its preservation and that of its artistic and architectural richness.
This parish church is a notable example of the Mannerist and Baroque styles, visible in its conception and ornamental details. The main façade, facing southwest, features a perfect arch portal, crowned by a quadrangular window. On the exterior, crosses carved into the wall surfaces, marking stations of the Via Sacra, and some ashlar blocks with ancient inscriptions, including the date 1693, can be observed.
The interior, with exposed ashlar walls, is enriched by wooden ceilings, with the decorated carved coffers in the chancel being particularly noteworthy. The granite pulpit features a gilded and polychrome carved railing that imitates marbling, lending it a particular elegance. In the chancel, the main altarpiece, in gilded national Baroque style carving, occupies the entire back wall, featuring a central tribune with a throne and a baldachin, flanked by columns and corbels with artistic details.
One of the most fascinating elements of the Church of Sarzeda are the mural paintings located on the back wall of the chancel. These works, presumably dating from the 16th or 17th centuries, were rediscovered in 1979 and represent a valuable artistic testimony of the era.
In the mural panels, figures of saints can be identified, such as Saint Bartholomew on the Gospel side, and on the opposite side, various Martyr Saints. Although a central part is currently hidden by the altarpiece, revealing only geometric motifs, their existence underscores the historical depth and artistic value of this temple, offering a unique perspective on sacred art from other times.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.90744459,-7.46165729
Coordinates DMS: 40°54'26.8"N 07°27'42.0"W
Weather Sarzeda
On-duty Pharmacy Sarzeda
