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Church of Santa Maria Maior (Tarouquela)

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Viseu > Cinfães > Tarouquela > Centro

Location

Located in Tarouquela, in the municipality of Cinfães, the Church of Santa Maria Maior stands in a tranquil rural landscape, halfway up a slope, harmoniously nestled along the banks of the River Douro. This monument stands out in its surroundings, encircled by lands predominantly cultivated with vineyards, and is embraced by a churchyard that separates it from the rest of the scenery. To its right and at the rear, the local cemetery is located, lending an atmosphere of serenity and contemplation to the space.

From Monastic Origins to Romanesque

The Church of Santa Maria Maior is what remains today of an ancient female monastery. Founded in the 12th century, this Benedictine cenobium housed nuns until the 16th century, with the building now observed being erected during the transition from the 12th to the 13th century. The presence of the Order of Saint Benedict deeply influenced local architecture, introducing and popularizing unusual sculptural themes, such as figures of antithetical animals, hybrid beings, and other representations believed to ward off evil influences.

Recognized as a National Monument since 1945, the Church of Tarouquela is an important testament to Romanesque architecture in the region, integrating into the Tâmega and Sousa Romanesque Route. Over the centuries, it underwent several interventions, including significant restoration works in the 1970s and, more recently, between 2014 and 2015, aiming at its conservation.

Sculptural and Symbolic Features

On the exterior of the church, the main portal captures visitors' attention. Its tympanum, exquisitely decorated with a floral motif, is flanked by two quadruped figures that, by their jaws, hold what appear to be human forms. These sculptures, locally known as the "dogs of Tarouquela", possess an enigmatic character and an apotropaic purpose, intended to ward off evil. The corbels supporting the building's cornice also display rich ornamentation, featuring fantastic, human, and animal figures, including the curious representation of an exhibitionist, which was hidden by a side chapel added in the 15th century.

Interior and Sacred Art

Upon entering the church, one encounters a single nave that extends to the chancel, which is narrower and lower. The wooden ceiling and side walls, marked by richly worked arches and fenestrations with small columns and historiated capitals, create an atmosphere of contemplation. Standing out inside is the sculpture of the Enthroned Virgin nursing the Child, a 16th-century work, possibly originating from a Brussels workshop. The main altar and side altars, in carved wood, complement the artistic richness of this space, where traces of polychromy are still visible on the triumphal arch preceding the chancel. The lighting is subtle, entering through oculus windows and arrow slits, highlighting the serenity of the architectural ensemble.

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

Coordinates DD: 41.06770822,-8.18310165
Coordinates DMS: 41°04'3.7"N 08°10'59.2"W

Weather Tarouquela  Weather Tarouquela

Tuesday, 05
Overcast clouds
23° | 39°
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Wednesday, 06
Overcast clouds
18° | 37°
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Thursday, 07
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19° | 36°
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Friday, 08
Clear sky
16° | 32°
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Saturday, 09
Clear sky
16° | 33°
Clear sky
Sunday, 10
Clear sky
16° | 35°
Clear sky

On-duty Pharmacy Tarouquela  On-duty Pharmacy Tarouquela

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