Church Santa Maria de Azurara- Portugal

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Today I'm going to tell you a little about the style of churches in Portugal, especially this baroque one which is 100% Portuguese architecture

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As we approach the church, I am immediately struck by its imposing and majestic architecture. Even from the outside, you can admire the many details of the stained glass windows and the beauty of the stone arches and pillars.

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Did you know that this church was built more than 500 years ago because it is very close to where I was born and is considered an important monument, having been the target of several interventions when the stone eroded, as this style has a lot of carving detail in the stone itself, which with time, significant damage to the images and the structure itself

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Unfortunately, upon arriving at the entrance, I realized that the church was closed, but that did not lessen my admiration for its beauty. I walked around the building, observing every detail, and I was impressed by the harmony between the Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. The church was huge, with a tall spire and a majestic entrance that indicated that this was a holy place.

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While admiring the church, I noticed a small square in front of it, and decided to explore a little more. It was there that I saw the pillory, a stone structure that symbolized local autonomy. The pillory consisted of a stone column supported by three steps, and at the top there was an iron cage with a chain, which served to arrest criminals and expose them to the public in a public square. I was struck by its symbolism and historical significance.

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Next to the pillory, I also saw the Azurara cross. This religious monument, erected in the 17th century, featured a stone cross on a granite plinth. The cross was decorated with images of the crucified Christ, Our Lady and Saint John the Evangelist. I felt a sense of peace and tranquility as I looked at the cross, which was a place of prayer for many local believers.

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As I explored the square, I began to better understand the historical richness of Vila do Conde. The pillory was a testament to local power and justice, while the cross represented the city's religious devotion. I started to wonder what life was like at that time and how these buildings were seen by people at that time.

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In the end, for those who appreciate this type of architecture, I strongly advise you to visit it, even if you are not a believer or do not follow the Christian religion. but for the imposing monuments that human beings were able to build in the past that still surprise us today, and leave me speechless because with little machinery they made beautiful works

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hope to see you in the next post thank you for reading
All photos are taken with canon 2000D

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