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, Leiria District, 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 in Famalicão, a small town in Portugal. It's located in the district of Leiria. This church is special because it's one of the oldest buildings of its kind in Portugal and even the whole Iberian Peninsula.
It was found in 1961 by Eduíno Borges Garcia. Because of its age and history, it is now protected as a National Monument. This means it's a very important part of Portugal's heritage.
History of the Church
The Igreja de São Gião has a long and interesting past. When it was first discovered, people thought it was built by the Visigoths. The Visigoths were a group of people who lived in this area around the 7th century.
Asturian Connections
However, newer studies have changed this idea. Experts now believe the church was built later, around the 10th century. They think it has Asturian origins. This is because it looks very similar to other churches built in the Asturian style. The Asturian style comes from a kingdom that existed in northern Spain.
A Glimpse into the Past
This church helps us understand what buildings looked like a very long time ago. It shows us how people built churches in the Middle Ages. The style of the church, called Asturian architecture, is known for its unique features. These features include specific types of arches and stone work.
Gallery
