Igreja de São Gião facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Igreja de São Gião |
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Late 19th century photo of the church
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Asturian |
| Location | Famalicão, Oeste region, Portugal |
| Coordinates | 39°33′47″N 9°5′22″W / 39.56306°N 9.08944°W |
The Igreja de São Gião is a very old church located in Famalicão, a small town near Nazaré in the western part of Portugal. This church is from the Middle Ages, a long time ago in history. It is considered one of the oldest churches in Portugal and even in the entire Iberian Peninsula, which includes Spain and Portugal. Because it is so important, it is officially recognized as a National Monument.
Discovering a Hidden Treasure
The Igreja de São Gião was not always well-known. It was discovered in 1961 by a person named Eduíno Borges Garcia. Finding this church was a big deal because it helped historians learn more about the past.
How Old Is It?
When the church was first found, experts thought it was built by the Visigoths. The Visigoths were a group of people who lived in this area around the 7th century. However, more recent studies have suggested something different.
Asturian Style Church
Newer research shows that the Igreja de São Gião might actually have been built around the 10th century. Its design and style are very similar to churches found in the Kingdom of Asturias, a region in northern Spain. This means it likely has "Asturian" origins, making it a special example of that type of architecture in Portugal.
Gallery
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de São Gião de Nazaré para niños
