Church of Saint Mary of Nogueira de Miño | © Deputación de Lugo

CHURCH OF SAINT MARY OF NOGUEIRA DE MIÑO – A EIREXE CHANTADA

INTRODUCTION

This church is located in one of the most singular places of the Ribeira Sacra: the top of the famous meander called Cabo do Mundo (the end of The World). From this magnificent location, it´s possible to get a perfect idea about the majesty of the cultural landscape of the Ribeira Sacra.

HISTORY

The current church dates back to the end of the 12th century and has undergone subsequent refurbishment. In the 14th century it belonged to the Order of the Knights of Alcántara.

ARCHITECTURE AND FURNITURE

The floor plan of the nave is rectangular and has a gabled tile roof; the floor plan of the apse is square and is covered with a barrel vault on the interior and a gabled roof on the exterior. Of the Romanesque structure, it preserves in the interior the slightly pointed, semicircular triumphal arch; various corbels with varied decoration; the window of the north wall, semicircular with small columns and capitals decorated with plant motifs; the south door, with a semicircular arch, archivolts with rosettes, leaves and balls; and the tympanum, with equal-armed cross inscribed in a circle; in addition to a crossshaped. The large rose window of the façade, transition from Romanesque to Gothic, has been preserved after the remodelling of the 18th century façade.

In the interior it preserves a large amount of mid-15th and 16th century wall paintings. Currently they are being restored in the northern paintings of the church, being the southern part already restored. They are fresco paintings on a mortar of lime and sand. They are attributed to the so called “master of Nogueira”. They are frame in ornamental strips of Renaissance language. It shows us a Final Judgement with Christ surrounded by angels holding elements of the Passion, the heavenly court presides over the damned and hell. They might be from the first half of the 16th century and have a rich chromatic range which reflects the importance of the work at the time. It has major faults due to the further placement of a pulpit, moved away nowadays and the construction of the chapel of Alba. In the section of the apse you can see the scene of the Judas Kiss. Later interventions without a doubt will allow us to see scenes today buried by layers of repaints.

The north gate has a delicate ornamentation, with decorated archivolts and tympanum, as well as animal representations. Outside, the square-planned apse also offers a delicate and decorated arched window. A staircase gives access from the outside.

OPENING HOURS

Visits on request accompanied by the local guides of Máis que Románico.
Email: info@maisqueromanicorutas.com
Phone: +34 646 533 229

CONTACT

Object:
A Eirexe, Chantada
27515 Lugo
Galicia, Spain.

Institution:
DIPUTACIÓN PROVINCIAL DE LUGO
Servicio de Turismo
San Marcos, 8
27001 Lugo
Galicia, Spain
Phone: +34 982 260 120
Email: turismo@deputacionlugo.org

ENTRANCE FEES

Visits on request accompanied by the local guides of Máis que Románico.
Email: info@maisqueromanicorutas.com
Phone: +34 646 533 229

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE

Praza do Mercado, s/n
27500 Chantada
Lugo, Galicia, Spain
Phone: +34982441752
Email: turismo@concellodechantada.org

RIBEIRA SACRA CONSORCIO DE TURISMO
Estrada de Viñoás, 3
32160 Nogueira de Ramuín
Ourense, Galicia, Spain
Phone: +34 638823592
Email: turismo@ribeirasacra.org