Igreja Matriz de Valhelhas, Portugal - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

Valhelhas Church is a very ancient temple, with a main altar and two side altars carved and gilded in the sixteenth century stye.
The side altars are of Our Lady of the Rosary, right, and the Altar of Souls on the left.

There are another two simple side altars, from a more recent construction, which are the Sacred Heart of Jesus, right, and of Our Lady of Fatima, on the left.

In the altarpiece of the main altar are the weapons of the Castros, six washers, and the same coat of arms is the angle of the west tower, which proves that these gentlemen belonged to the lordship of Valhelhas and its castle.

On the South side has a large sacristy that communicates with the churchyard. It has a granite pulpit, very crude, with ornaments in relief, dotted with bright colors make it even more crude. Below is based on a stone pillar and a side has the following inscription: "Anno Domini 1674 erectum."

Behind the high altar on the left, some are still visible traces of a primitive painting (fresco) representing the angel's Annunciation to Mary. At bottom right, rising one meter above the floor is on a platform with two steps, the baptismal font, large, chiseled granite, resting on a column of the same stone and covered with a wooden lid. Above is the choir and at the bottom are two confessionals.

The church, whose construction is commonly attributed to the Templar Knights has probably been founded before due to a Latin inscription engraved on the outside on the side door which says: "Mense Martie thousandth - Haec Ecclesia fuite sacrate two hundred "-" This church was sacred in the month of March in the year 1200 "(the era of Caesar and therefore in the year 1162 the time of Christ).

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1162 Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Catholic If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 10:30 AM Street address of Church: Igreja Matriz de Valhelhas Praça Dr José de Castro Valhelhas, Portugal 6300 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   05/08/2010 manchanegra visited it