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The Church of Saint Mary of Airães is an example of how Romanesque architectural features have lingered in time in the region of Tâmega and Sousa.
The late aspect of the capitals of the main portal, as well as the frames and capitals of the apse, indicate that the Church must have been built at the end of the 13th century or early 14th century, though records of a church on this site date back to 1091.
Currently presenting three naves, from the ancient Romanesque construction, with a single nave, maintains the apse, covered by a broken barrel vault and the central body of the main façade.
At the base of the Church walls there are typically Roman cushioned ashlars [stone], which suggest the existence of an even older building on this site, possibly even of a primitive early Christian or Suevi-Visigoth church.
Inside the Church, notable sculptures include the polychromatic limestone image of Saint Mary, the Church’s patron saint, and a set of religious sculptures of the Modern Age, such as the decorative piece that houses a Rococo style nativity scene in the sacristy.
Type: Church
Classification: National Monument - 1977
Route: Sousa Valley
11th century – Church foundation;
13th-14th centuries – Romanesque edification;
17th and 18th centuries – Enlargement of the lateral naves, and renovation of the interiors;
1980 – Several preservation and restoration works conducted by the parish under the technical guidance of the DGEMN – Direção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais [General Directorate for Buildings and National Monuments];
1989 – Preservation and restoration works, coverage, exterior draining and electric installation;
1992 – General improvement works to the roofing, restoration of the ceiling and altars;
1998 – The Church of Saint Mary of Airães is included in the Route of the Romanesque of Vale do Sousa;
2004 – Works of general preservation in the scope of the Route of the Romanesque of Vale do Sousa project;
2005 – Works of general preservation of the batters in the bell tower and sacristy;
2013-2014 – Works for the general conservation of the Church, mostly at the levels of the roofs and external walls, under the scope of the Route of the Romanesque.
Saint Mary - 15th August
By appointment
Saturday - 4 pm; Sunday - 10.20 am
Monument not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
visitasrr@valsousa.pt
+351 255 810 706
+351 918 116 488
