Church of the Ordem da Trindade is classified as a Public Interest Monument

The church of the Ordem da Trindade has been classified as a Public Interest Monument. The church was built in nineteenth century and “contributed to define and consolidate a new centrality in Porto’s urban life, later recognised by the settling of the own headquarter in the same square”, as stated by the decree published in the National Official Gazette, on 14 May.

The classification was due to the “matrix nature of the good, its interest as a symbolic and religious testimony, to its aesthetic values, its underlying technical and material aspects, its architectural and urban design, its range and the inherent collective memory”, reads the official decree.

The church was designed by architect Carlos Amarante, from Braga and the architectural complex of the Church of the Ordem da Trindade (which includes the original main building of the adjoining hospital) is part of the “transformation process of the medieval city in a modern city”.

“A curious fact is that the architect is buried inside the Church of the Ordem da Trindade, although he has never seen his project completed”, the General Direction of Cultural Patrimony informed. In fact, the construction of the church took the entire nineteenth century and the original design was altered many times.

The inauguration of the church nave took place in 1841, but it would take another 11 years to complete the main chancel, due to the lack of funds. The work was finally concluded in 1892, once the hospital had already been inaugurated. The official gazette’s decree also enhances that “the imposing granitic façade, as well as the sober neoclassical outdoor combine with the carving retables, with a special highlight to the master retable, signed by Marques da Silva in 1903”.

Currently, the entire church and hospital are undergoing rehabilitation works. The investment is over 10 million euros and it is jointly financed by the IFRRU – Financial Instrument for the Urban and rehabilitation and Renewal.