Description of the attraction
The main historical monuments of Barcelos can be seen near the medieval Gothic bridge over the Cavado River. One of these famous monuments is the Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos.
This outstanding church was built in the 14th century on the site of an old 11th century church. Among the inhabitants of Barcelos, it is also called the parish church or the Matrice Church. Like many buildings in Portugal, the church building mixes two architectural styles: Romanesque and Gothic. The construction of the Church of Santa Maria de Barcelos was initiated by Don Pedro, the third Count of Barcelos, and the family coat of arms of this family can be seen above the archivolts. The building has retained the main features of the medieval era.
During the 16th - 18th centuries, restoration work was periodically carried out in the church, some decorative and architectural details were added, in which both Gothic and Romanesque styles were intricately combined. The portal in the Romanesque style attracts the eye. It consists of four archivolts with eight small columns, each ending with a capital. The walls of the nave of the church are decorated with several panels of the 18th century from the famous Portuguese blue and white tiles "azulesos", which depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The walls of the chapels in the church are decorated in the Baroque style. Attention is drawn to the carved gilded altars, including the main altar of the temple. The walls of the altar of the church are decorated with paintings by Mannerist painters, which depict scenes of the Annunciation and Adoration of the Shepherds.
