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Freixo de Baixo still stands today as a leading symbol of the monastic complex established by the manorial power and taken over by the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine. Deployed along a watercourse, in a fertile valley, the Monastery still impresses the visitor today.
The persistence of the foundations of the original galilee and traces of the original cloister [inner courtyard of a monastery], along with a stout bell tower, gives this set an unusual monumentality in the panorama of Romanesque architecture in Portugal.
The façade is the best preserved element of the primitive Church. Reinforced by two corners, it features a sturdy portal whose archivolts are decorated with dihedral logs.
The capitals feature animals facing each other, phytomorphic and botanic motifs, and braidings similar to São Pedro de Ferreira (Paços de Ferreira) and Salvador de Paço de Sousa (Penafiel).
Inside the Church, the prominently frescoes stands out, visible on the north wall of the nave. It is a scene of the Epiphany of the Lord, attributed to the Master of 1510 who took part in making the paintings of Vila Verde and Pombeiro (Felgueiras) and the ones of Saint Nicholas (Marco de Canaveses).
Type: Monastery
Classification: National Monument - 1935
Route: Tâmega Valley
Before 1120 - Foundation of the Monastery of Freixo de Baixo;
1379 - Date inscribed in the funeral epigraph of prior D. Afonso;
1540 - The Monastery of Freixo de Baixo is annexed to the Convent of Saint Gonzalo of Amarante;
1758 - There were three altars in the Church of Freixo de Baixo, the main altar and two collaterals;
1864 - The Monastery of Freixo de Baixo was considered in good condition;
1935 - The Church of Freixo de Baixo is classified as a National Monument;
1941 - Beginning of the restoration works;
1958 - Publishing of DGEMN – Direção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais [General Directorate for Buildings and National Monuments]'s Bulletin no. 92 on the intervention in Freixo de Baixo;
1971 - Definition of Special Protection Zone of the Church of Freixo de Baixo;
2010 - Integration of the Monastery of the Saviour of Freixo de Baixo in the Route of the Romanesque;
2015 - Intervention for the conservation of the altarpiece and of the mural painting, under the scope of the Route of the Romanesque.
2020 - Conservation works on the interior of the bell tower, electrical installation and church furniture, under the scope of the Route of the Romanesque.
Divine Saviour - 6th August
By appointment
Sunday - 9.30 am
Monument not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
+351 255 810 706
+351 918 116 488
visitasrr@valsousa.pt
