Matriz Church of Póvoa de Varzim

Matriz Church is a baroque building located in the Old Square of Póvoa de Varzim.

The church's doors relief.

Matriz Church of Póvoa de Varzim (In Portuguese: Igreja Matriz da Póvoa de Varzim) or Igreja Paroquial Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Parish Church of Our lady of Conception) is a baroque Church located in the Old Square of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal. It is the principal church in the city.

History

The church of Santa Maria de Varzim, the early First Church (Igreja Matriz) was located in Dores Square in the old town, and was, in the 18th century, outside of Póvoa de Varzim's civic center. The ancient Santa Maria de Varzim Church also proved to be too small for such a large population. As such, the Povoan Senate (Senado Poveiro) asked the King a larger temple. King John V answered with the royal provision of June 1, 1736, conceding the leftovers of taxes for 15 years and the people would have to contribute with one Real in the meat and wine.^[1]

The temple was built in the town hall's square. Works started when, in a ceremony, the priest Carvalho da Cunha placed the first stone on February 18, 1743. The stone was taken into place by four local personalities: Sir Diogo de Sousa, Gonçalo de Almeida de Sousa, lieutenant Veiga Leal and Francisco Monteiro Pereira de Queiroz.^[1] The project was directed by Braga architect Manuel Fernandes da Silva until his death in 1753. After Fernandes da Silva's death, works continued under the direction of a team of building masters. Despite not fully finished, the temple was blessed on January 6, 1757.

Arquitecture

Designed by the notable 18th century Portuguese architect Fernandes da Silva, the church is noted for its rich rococo altarpiece. The 18th century façade has exuberant lines of Baroque art, with a trimmed gable where the Roccaille portal is cut, crowned by a royal blason, over which a niche is located. The niche has an icon of the Virgin Mary sculpted in rock. Relief bronze doors by sculptor Rui Anahory where placed during the 250 years celebrations.

The interior is wide and in a single nave covered by a barrel vault. The nave is strengthened by three robust toroidal arches and the walls are decorated by nine Joanino (King John's style) Baroque altars, in gilded woodcarving, displaying 18th century sculptures. Its retables are notable, especially the one from the chancel, exceptionally rich, in rococo style, made-up by six composite order capital columns. In the assets of the church, there's a green damson plum chasuble, with fine silk needlework, from the 16th century and an icon of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem from the 17th century. A sacristy furnishing has a wide set of siglas poveiras, written by the fishermen.

Matriz Church of Póvoa de Varzim was classified by IGESPAR as a building with public importance in 1977.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Baptista de Lima, João (2008). Póvoa de Varzim - Monografia e Materiais para a sua história. Na Linha do horizonte - Biblioteca Poveira CMPV. 

Coordinates: 41°22′51.29″N 8°45′24.97″W / 41.3809139°N 8.7569361°W / 41.3809139; -8.7569361