Church of Senhor do Socorro

Last updated
Church of Senhor do Socorro
Shrine of Our Lord of Help
Igreja do Senhor do Socorro
Labruja Mostoiro do Socorro 01.jpg
A view of the Sanctuary of Senhor do Socorro
Church of Senhor do Socorro
41°50′30.27″N8°35′36.49″W / 41.8417417°N 8.5934694°W / 41.8417417; -8.5934694 Coordinates: 41°50′30.27″N8°35′36.49″W / 41.8417417°N 8.5934694°W / 41.8417417; -8.5934694
Location Viana do Castelo, Alto Minho, Norte
Country Portugal
Denomination Roman Catholic
Architecture
Years built18th Century
Specifications
Length18 m (59 ft)
Width31 m (102 ft)
Administration
Diocese Diocese of Viana do Castelo

The Church of Senhor do Socorro (Portuguese : Igreja do Senhor do Socorro) is an 18th-century Baroque sanctuary situated in the civil parish of Labruja, municipality of Ponte de Lima, in the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo. The church is the centre of pilgrimages and festivals in honour of the Lord of Help/Distress, particularly on the first Saturday and Sunday of July, attracting many people from the Portuguese diaspora. It was classified as Property of Public Interest in 1977. [1]

Contents

History

The view of the facade of the Church of Senhor do Socorro, showing the royal coat-of-arms, marking the influence or patronage of the Portuguese Corte Labruja Mostoiro do Socorro 03.jpg
The view of the facade of the Church of Senhor do Socorro, showing the royal coat-of-arms, marking the influence or patronage of the Portuguese Corte
A view of the Church on the grounds, with terraced gardens Labruja Mostoiro do Socorro 05.jpg
A view of the Church on the grounds, with terraced gardens

The construction of the church began in 1773, possibly with royal grants given the presence of the coat-of-arms located on the frontispiece. [2] A votive offering was already occurring at the site by 1774. [2] Work on the sanctuary continued the rest of this centre, with decoration and public artwork installed in the retable and chancel. [2] The cost of the work on the collateral retables were readjusted by painters Manuel José Afonso (from the parish of Sapo) and Manuel Martins da Cunha (resident of Covas) to the tune of 78$200 reis on 15 December 1777. [2]

Sometime in the 19th century the sanctuary was renovated by António Augusto Pereira. [2]

On separate occasions the church became a centre of votive offerings, similar to 1774. [2] These were made either to fulfill a vow made to God for deliverance, or offering to the church in gratitude for a favor that was granted. [2] In 1829, the votives were offered to delivering the faithful, while in 1877, a votive was issued for miraculous cures. [2]

Given the date associated with the sanctuary (1864), 100 years after the construction of the church, it is unclear whether this was part of the original design, or if it developed later. [2] If it was secondary plan, it can be concluded that this design was influenced by the construction of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus (in Braga), which was constructed between 1784 and 1811. [2] Carlos Alberto Ferreira de Almeida, has noted that interior tile is one of the more notable group of tilework this lateral period of construction. [2]

Between 1981 and 1982, a plaque was installed to mark and the public works to the chapel of the "Via Sacra" (Holy Way), by Manuel Esteves. [2]

Architecture

The interior chancel and nave, with ornate gilded woodwork, with altar showing Jerusalem Labruja Mostoiro do Socorro 08 Church altar.jpg
The interior chancel and nave, with ornate gilded woodwork, with altar showing Jerusalem

The sanctuary is situated on a mountain, alongside buildings that were used initially in the construction of the sanctuary (but today abandoned), used in the preparation of foods (goat and chicken) during the pilgrimages. [2]

The sanctuary includes a church and staircase, with the church implanted longitudinally, comprising one nave, square chancel, undulating exterior elevations and lateral sacristy: all sections are differentiated and covered in roof tile. [2]

The frontispiece is flanked by two bell-towers, will corner pilasters and sectioned into three registers. The first register includes bay window and pediment; the second a clock; and the third register occupied by the bells. [2] These towers are crowned by bulbous vaulted-ceiling. The church porch is open to a segmented arch topped by large window bay, with monumental shoulders bound by pediment and interrupted by a royal coat-of-arms. On either side of the large window are two niches with sculptors. [2]

The church platform is surrounded by a wall, paced by pilasters and decorated statues, with two ponds and shelters flanking the central staircase. Behind the church, is a wavy monumental staircase, the front framed by pilasters and crowned by urns, with central fountain and statue. [2] This area provides access to a projected series of chapels, although only one was constructed (a square plan) with corner pilasters, ranging from full arch, side windows, dome and small altar inside. [2]

Interior

The hexagonal nave is decorated with granite wainscot and includes a triumphal arch in tile, with the barrel vault adorned by three painted medallions. On one end is the high choir, while in the opposite direction are two lateral and two collateral altars, with a pulpit with granite base, and staircase.

The interior chancel is circular with domed skylight, two carved altars, two doors and windows with carved altarpiece with painting of Jerusalem.

See also

Related Research Articles

Labruja Civil parish in Norte, Portugal

Labruja is a civil parish in the municipality of Ponte de Lima in northern Portugal. The population in 2011 was 439, in an area of 14.56 km².

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição Velha Church in Lisbon, Portugal

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is a church in the civil parish of Madalena, in the municipality of Lisbon.

Arouca Abbey Former Cistercian monastery in the Porto metropolitan area of Portugal

The Abbey of St. Batholomew, more simply known as the Abbey of Arouca, was a Cistercian monastery of women dating from the 10th century. It is located in Arouca, now in the Porto metropolitan area of Portugal. For much of its existence, it was one of the most influential religious centers in that region of the country.

Church of São Martinho de Cedofeita Church in Norte, Portugal

The Church of Cedofeita is a medieval church in the civil parish of Cedofeita, municipality of Porto, in the northern Grande Porto Subregion of Portugal. The Church is a rare architectural example of a single-nave vaulted-ceiling temple, and the only one in the traditional Entre-Douro-e-Minho Province region of Portugal. It is classified as a National Monument.

Church of São Lourenço (Almancil) Church in Algarve, Portugal

The Church of São Lourenço is a Church in the civil parish of Almancil, in the municipality of Loulé in the Portuguese Algarve.

Church of Santo André (Melgaço) Church in Norte, Portugal

The Church of Santo André is a Romanesque and Baroque era Portuguese religious building located in the civil parish of Fiães, municipality of Melgaço, in the northern Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo.

Diogo Bernardes Theatre

The Diogo Bernardes Theatre is a theatre in the civil parish of Arca e Ponte de Lima, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima, in the Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo.

The Church of the Miserícordia de Valadares, or Church of Mercy/Charity of Valadares, is a 17th–18th-century Portuguese church located in the civil parish of Valadares, municipality of Monção in continental Portugal. The church was classified as Property of Public Interest in 1961.

Church of São Miguel do Castelo Church in Norte, Portugal

The Church of São Miguel do Castelo is a medieval church in the civil parish of Oliveira do Castelo, municipality of Guimarães, in the northern district of Braga of Portugal. The church is emblematically linked to the foundation of the Portuguese Kingdom. Legend suggests that it was the sight of the baptism of the young Afonso Henriques. These claims are contradictory, since the date of the church's founding has been suggested to be during the reign of Afonso II of Portugal.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lapa Church in Norte, Portugal

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lapa and Residence of the Society of Jesus is a Christian sanctuary in the civil parish of Quintela, municipality of Sernancelhe of northern Portugal. The historical residence of the Society of Jesus, this site was transformed to support pilgrims to the site, and is marked by a chapel delineated by Corinthian columns, supporting plinths surmounted by simple frieze and cornice. The interior was decorated in azulejo tile of polychromatic vegetal design, with triumphal arch dividing the sanctuary from the college, identifiable by the large granite rock in its interior, where legend says the image of the Virgin Mary was first discovered. In this space is the oratory of Senhora das Dores with its nativity by António Ferreira. In the junction between presbytery and sacristy is the double-arched belfry. Also remarkable and unique for this site, and other buildings owned by the Society of Jesus, is the walkway that connects the residences of the complex with the church.

Church of São Salvador (Bravães) Church in Norte, Portugal

The Church of São Salvador is a Romanesque era Portuguese religious building located in the civil parish of Bravães, municipality of Ponte da Barca, in the northern Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo.

Church of Porto Covo Church in Alentejo, Portugal

The Church of Porto Covo is Baroque and Neoclassic church in the civil parish, municipality of Sines, in the Atlantic coast of the Portuguese Alentejo. The church's austere lines is a morphological hybridization of the styles employed during the reign of Queen Maria I. In the widespread typology of regional architecture, the Baroque elements are evident in the lintels and trim curves, framed in a composition that is, generally, more rigid then in the gable design.

Convent of Caloura

The Convent of Caloura is a Portuguese 16th-century convent located in the civil parish of Água de Pau, in the municipality of Lagoa, on the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores.

The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Engaranho is a church in the civil parish of Calvão e Soutelinho da Raia, in the municipality of Chaves, in the Portuguese Norte Vila Real.

Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho Church in Azores, Portugal

The Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho is the parochial church of the civil parish of Almagreira, located in the municipality of Vila do Porto, Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It is a church of masonry, plastered and painted, constructed with decorative pilasters, friezes and cornices, molds and corner pinnacles, with a carved retable and tile covering.

Church of Santa Bárbara (Vila do Porto) Church in Azores, Portugal

The Church of Santa Bárbara is a Roman Catholic church in the civil parish of Santa Bárbara, municipality of Vila do Porto, in the archipelago of the Azores. Located in the valley of the same name, the parochial church of Santa Bárbara was constructed sometime in the early 15th century and served the impoverished parish throughout its history, supported by personal donations and community assistance.

Old Church of São Mateus da Calheta Church in Azores, Portugal

The (Old) Church of São Mateus da Calheta are the ruins of a 16th-century church situated along the coast of the civil parish of São Mateus da Calheta, municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on the Portuguese island of Terceira, in the archipelago of the Azores. Reconstructed at the end of the 17th, or beginning of the 18th, century, the church was abandoned after a hurricane caused severe damage. The interior includes a baptismal font dating to the 16th century, although largely an open air ruin; the structure has experienced several interventions throughout the centuries, with the building painted and maintained in its post-hurricane state.

Paço de Calheiros

The Palace of Calheiros is a 17th-century Baroque manorhouse and tourist guesthouse located in the civil parish of Calheiros, municipality of Ponte de Lima, in the northern region of Portugal.

The Church of Santíssima Trindade is an 18th-century church located in the civil parish of Fazenda in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, in the Portuguese island of Flores, in the archipelago of the Azores.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Santa Cruz das Flores) Church in Azores, Portugal

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is an 18th-century church located in the civil parish of Santa Cruz in the municipality of Santa Cruz das Flores, in the Portuguese island of Flores, in the archipelago of the Azores.

References

Notes
  1. ↑ "Sanctuary of Socorro". www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Noé, Paula (1992), SIPA (ed.), Santuário do Senhor do Socorro (IPA.00004113/PT011607290023) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico, archived from the original on 5 March 2016, retrieved 27 March 2014
Sources
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.