Last week I took part in on-arrival training in the magic city of Viseu, which lies in the Centro Region of Portugal and is surrounded by mountains and rivers Vouga and Dão. Viseu is considered as a milestone of Portuguese sacred art and religious architecture that can been proven with the numerous churches that adorn the historical center.
Of course, the most iconic one is Viseu Cathedral, which is packed full of history. Its construction started during the reign of Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, in the 12th century.
„When you get to the churchyard of the Cathedral, you will see a majestic façade delimitated by two tall bell towers, one built during mediaeval times and the other during the 17th century, after it was brought down by a violent storm”.
Although the great towers make it look like a church-fortress, the style of Viseu Cathedral has been deeply altered as centuries went by because of several restoration works and additions which justify the present mixture of elements from different times – Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque. Another interesting fact about Viseu Cathedral is that it was the home of Saint Theotonius, Portugal’s first saint, who lived between 1082 and 1162 AD. He was a trusted advisor to King Afonso Henriques and the royal family.
Next to the Viseu Cathedral you can notice massive building of . It was established in the building of the Três Escalões Palace (Palace of Three Steps) that in the past performed function of the bishop’s palace.
Today here is Grão Vasco National Museum. Vasco Fernandes is the main representative of Renaissance painting in Portugal. According to scholars, he was born in Viseu and started his artistic career there executing the main altarpiece of Viseu Cathedral. The Museum keeps a considerable collection of works from this artist, keeping his memory alive in the city.
References:
http://www.centerofportugal.com/viseu/
https://www.aportugueseaffair.com/viseu-cathedral/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viseu
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/viseu/attractions/museu-grao-vasco/a/poi-sig/1374692/1300103
