Igreja matriz de Canas de Senhorim

Igreja Matriz de Canas de Senhorim is the parish church of Canas de Senhorim, a town in the municipality of Nelas, Viseu district, in the Dão wine country of central Portugal. It has held Property of Public Interest (IIP) status since Decree 1299/77 of 29 September 1977.

What will you see at the church?

The church faces a square with a distinctly historic feel. Travel guides single out its Joanine façade, the late Portuguese Baroque style named after the reign of King John V. The parish is dedicated to the Santíssimo Salvador, the Holy Saviour, and Catholic directories list it under that name within the Diocese of Viseu.

Close by stands the pelourinho, a 17th-century pillory that once signalled the town's rights of self-government. A monument on Largo 2 de Agosto marks 800 years since the town received its charter, a reminder of the settlement's medieval roots.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

• Old manor houses: Solar dos Abreu Madeira, Casa do Cruzeiro and Casa do Visconde de Pedralva reflect the town's former prosperity.
• 20th-century architecture: the former Reis Pinto pharmacy and Casa José Nobre (1944) were designed by architect Keil do Amaral.
• Prehistory: the Orca das Pramelas, a megalithic tomb from the 4th to 3rd millennium BC, is also protected as an IIP site.
• Nossa Senhora da Piedade chapel: finished in 1597 and regarded as the oldest in the municipality. It is now a ruin under restoration by the municipality.

When should you visit?

Carnival is the best moment. The town's celebration runs back almost four centuries, with two rival parades from the Paço and Rossio neighbourhoods ending in a joint showdown called the Despique. A traditional medieval fair is also held in town. Outside festival dates, the church and town centre take about an hour to explore.

How do you plan a visit?

Canas de Senhorim lies in the Dão-Lafões sub-region of Beira Alta and has around 3,300 residents. The parish also includes Caldas da Felgueira, Póvoa de Santo António, Vale de Madeiros and Urgeiriça, a former uranium mining area. Combine the church with a walk through the centre and a tasting in the Dão vineyards.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church a protected monument? Yes. It has been classed as a Property of Public Interest since 1977.

Who is the parish dedicated to? The parish patron is the Santíssimo Salvador, the Holy Saviour.

What is distinctive about the façade? Guides describe it as Joanine, in the Portuguese Baroque style of the 18th century.

What else is there to see in town? A 17th-century pillory, old manor houses, the megalithic Orca das Pramelas and the ruined Nossa Senhora da Piedade chapel from the late 16th century.