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Built in the 13th century, where a small chapel once stood, the present-day Church of Veade was, however, a dramatically changed structure in the 18th century.
From the Romanesque period side portals subsist, despite being rotated during the Baroque interventions, which reoriented the Church (originally the main façade found itself facing west, following the so-called canonical orientation) and a west head was added.
The north and south portals are deeply ornated, displaying pearls and botanic motifs, snippets of chequered friezes and capitals where the common theme depicts the basins of rivers Tâmega and Douro, under the influence of the city of Braga: the scene of Daniel in the lions' den.
Although the main portal shows the profound changes that the Church underwent at the hands of Commander Alvaro Pinto, from the noble families of Lamego, it is within that the Baroque style is understood in all its splendour.
Although previous campaigns are distinguished, of Mannerist nature, Baroque is the scenery that takes up the entire space.
Between the use of gilded wood, to the granite polychrome, and the tile bottom of the chancel, the expression “horror of emptiness”, used by some to describe this style, here takes on particular significance.
Type: Church
Classification: Submitted to classification
Route: Tâmega Valley
1159 - Meana Dordia Gomes was buried in Veade;
13th Century - The private Church of Veade was associated with the Guedeões lineage;
13th Century, 1st half - Construction of the Romanesque edification of Veade, of which some significant portions remain;
1220 - The “Inquirições” [administrative enquiries] of D. Afonso II mention the Monasterium de Bialdi, although the Church of Veade was already a parish church by then;
Before 1258 - The canon Gomes Alvites, from Braga, sold the Church of Veade and all the farmhouses to the Order of the Hospital;
1641 - Construction of the Commendation Houses, commissioned by Diogo de Melo Pereira (d. 1666);
1732 - According to the inscription engraved on the main portal's lintel, the Church of Veade was rebuilt by Commander Friar Martim Álvaro Pinto, of the House of Calvilhe (Lamego);
18th century, 2nd half - Design of the Church's contents: liturgical furniture, woodwork and imagery;
1967 - Restoration works in the Church of Veade;
1980-1990 - Restoration of the altarpiece;
20th-21st century - Redevelopment of Church's surrounding area under the Celorico de Basto Town Council's responsibility;
2010 - Integration of the Church of Veade in the Route of the Romanesque;
2024 - Cleaning the walls of the Church and opening the Interpretative Centre.
Saint Mary - 15th August
On request at the Interpretative Centre of the Church of Veade (Thursday to Sunday) or by appointment.
Sunday - 8 am
Interpretative Centre of the Church of Veade: Thursday to Sunday, 10 am-1 pm and 2 pm-6 pm.
Monument not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
+351 255 810 706
+351 918 116 488
visitasrr@valsousa.pt
