Description of the attraction
The façade of the beautiful Church of São Gonçalo overlooks the Tamega River. The temple was built in the 16th century on the instructions of King João III of Portugal and with the direct participation of his wife, Queen Catherine of Austria.
The church is consecrated in honor of the Portuguese Catholic priest and hermit Gonçalo, who was born in the city of Amaranti. After his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Gonçalo remained to live in the city. Later he became a monk of the Dominican order, and after his death in 1560 he was canonized by Pope Pius IV. Saint Gonçalo is considered the patron saint of marriage and childbearing, and is highly revered in the city. Every year, on the first Saturday in June, Amaranti celebrates Saint Gonçalo. The holiday begins with prayers for brides and grooms, and then traditional festivities begin with dances, music and treats, among which there are necessarily gonsalush cookies.
The building of the church is very beautiful and unusual in terms of architecture. The facade of the church looks out onto a small square and is decorated with an outstanding Mannerist portal. A feature of the facade is considered to be a lot of stone statues with which it is oversaturated. And also a gallery of kings, among which there are statues of kings João III, Sebastian I the Desired, Enrique of Portugal and Philip II. The upper part of the church is completed with a tiled dome. Inside the temple is the tomb of Saint Gonçalo with his image. Unfortunately, the image has already been partially destroyed due to the frequent touching of people who worship it. The organ of the 18th century, which is supported by gilded statues of mythical heroes, attracts attention.
