The Minho region at Portugal’s northern border to Spain has some of the prettiest towns in the country, surrounded by verdant forests and picturesque rivers. Vila Nova de Cerveira is a jewel of a town, its main square anchored by a 16th century church — Igreja Matriz de Vila Nova de Cerveira (Igreja de São Cipriano).
There is an information plaque at the front of the church with the following:
“The upper end of the church, dated back to the 16th century, is the only part of the building that survived a strong storm in 1877. The body of the church, which was promptly reconstructed, has characteristics of both the baroque and neoclassical styles.
Of particular interest is the main altar due to its quality and beauty. The woodcarving, in national style, displays the images of the Adoration of the Wise Kings and the Scene of the Last Judgment.”
I didn’t pop into the church as we had to hurry off somewhere else, but I’ll save it for next time when I can post interior pictures. These are just a few of the outside for now, but in the meantime take a virtual visit around Minho through the album.
March 4, 2017
Album: Minho, Portugal
