Lapa Church
Lapa Church, officially Parish Church of Our Lady of Lapa (Portuguese: Igreja Paroquial de Nossa Senhora da Lapa) is a Parish church in the Portuguese city of Póvoa de Varzim. It was built in 1772[1] by the local fishermen community. Despite its simplicity it has some interesting features and cultural interest such its old lighthouse, once a link between the church and the fishermen at sea.
Traditional marriage marks, Siglas poveiras, can be found in the church. it is a seaside church and lighthouse, near the seashore in the Port of Póvoa de Varzim.
History
[edit]The establishment of the chapel is due to Spanish missionaries, Franciscan friars, in the third quarter of the 18th century. They got the support of some local fishermen to create a chapel in honor of Our Lady of the rock (Lapa). The foundation stone was placed on December 9, 1770. Works finished on August 15, 1772, with a solemn blessing. The founders organized themselves as a brotherhood, this status was later confirmed by Maria I of Portugal in 1791, as a Royal brotherhood, the Real Irmandade de N. S. da Assunção, the Royal Brotherhood of our Lady of Assumption, still in existence.[2]
Póvoa de Varzim's inhabitants showed great devotion for this chapel to such extent that the brotherhood created a good lighthouse in there, with two-lights with Petrol fuel. It served for navigation, especially for the fishermen.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "PÓVOA DE VARZIM". Portugal Travel Guide. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
- ^ a b Archivo pittoresco Volume XI. Castro Irmão & C.ª. 1868.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Igreja Paroquial de Póvoa do Varzim at Wikimedia Commons
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