Visit Portugal - Santa Eulália de Vandoma Church

Hi 👋

On a cloudy afternoon, I decided to visit a place I had heard about several times but had never seen in person the Igreja Paroquial de Santa Eulália de Vandoma. Located in the tranquil region of Vandoma, this small parish church is often overlooked by visitors who are more familiar with the larger, more famous landmarks in Portugal.

Yet, there is something about small, historical churches like this one that draws me in. I had no expectations when I left home, only a curiosity to see this historical parish church for myself. Little did I know that this simple visit would become a deeply reflective moment.

PT - Português 🇵🇹

No entanto, há algo em igrejas pequenas e históricas como esta que me atrai. Não tinha expectativas quando saí de casa, apenas curiosidade de ver pessoalmente esta igreja paroquial histórica. Mal sabia eu que esta simples visita se tornaria num momento de profunda reflexão.

The road leading there was peaceful. The clouds hung low in the sky, their grey hue reflecting a sense of calmness over the landscape. The trees swayed gently in the wind, and the only sounds that filled the air were the occasional calls of birds and the rustling of leaves. There were no crowds, no cars passing by, and surprisingly, no people around especially for that time of day. It was already mid-afternoon, and yet the place felt as if time had stopped. It was just me, the grey sky above, and the peacefulness of the surrounding nature.

PT - Português 🇵🇹

A estrada que lá levava era tranquila. As nuvens estavam baixas no céu, e a sua tonalidade cinzenta refletia uma sensação de calma na paisagem. As árvores balançavam suavemente ao sabor do vento, e os únicos sons que preenchiam o ar eram os chamamentos ocasionais dos pássaros e o farfalhar das folhas. Não havia multidões, nem carros a passar e, surpreendentemente, nenhuma pessoa por perto, especialmente para aquela hora do dia. Era já meio da tarde, e mesmo assim parecia que o tempo tinha parado no lugar. Era só eu, o céu cinzento lá em cima e a tranquilidade da natureza em redor.

When I arrived at the church, the first thing I noticed was that the church was closed. At first, I was a bit disappointed. I had hoped to take a look inside. However, I quickly realized that the fact that the church was closed didn’t detract from the beauty of the experience.

PT - Português 🇵🇹

Quando cheguei à igreja, a primeira coisa que reparei foi que estava fechada. No início fiquei um pouco desiludido. Eu esperava dar uma vista de olhos lá dentro. No entanto, rapidamente percebi que o facto de a igreja estar fechada não diminuiu a beleza da experiência.

The church looked very well preserved, standing tall amidst its surroundings. The stone walls were solid and showed little sign of weathering, giving the church a sense of strength and resilience. The roof, covered in red tiles, appeared to be in excellent condition, providing a striking contrast to the more muted tones of the stone.

PT - Português 🇵🇹

A igreja parecia muito bem conservada, destacando-se no meio da envolvente. As paredes de pedra eram sólidas e apresentavam poucos sinais de desgaste, dando à igreja uma sensação de força e resiliência. O telhado, coberto de telhas vermelhas, parecia estar em excelentes condições, proporcionando um contraste marcante com os tons mais suaves da pedra.

What caught my attention next were the details on the door and windows. The church main door was simple yet elegant, made of wood that had clearly aged gracefully over time. The door’s natural grains and rich color stood out, especially against the backdrop of the stone walls. The door's iron hinges were rusted in a way that added character, yet they still seemed strong, suggesting the church had endured the tests of time with great care.

PT - Português 🇵🇹

O que me chamou a atenção de seguida foram os pormenores na porta e nas janelas. A porta principal da igreja era simples, mas elegante, feita de madeira que claramente tinha envelhecido graciosamente com o tempo. Os grãos naturais e as cores ricas da porta destacavam-se, especialmente em contraste com as paredes de pedra. As dobradiças de ferro da porta estavam enferrujadas, o que lhe dava personalidade, mas ainda pareciam fortes, sugerindo que a igreja tinha resistido aos testes do tempo com muito cuidado.

To anyone thinking of visiting Santa Eulália de Vandoma, go. Even if the sky is grey. Even if the church is closed. There’s still a lot to see, a lot to feel, and a lot to appreciate. And if you’re lucky, you might just have the whole place to yourself.

PT - Português 🇵🇹

Para quem está a pensar visitar Santa Eulália de Vandom, vá. Mesmo que o céu esteja cinzento. Mesmo que a igreja esteja fechada. Ainda há muito para ver, muito para sentir e muito para apreciar. E se tiver sorte, poderá ter o lugar todo só para si.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Portugal 🇵🇹 😎Stay tuned for more adventures and travel tips!

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@portugalcoin 🇵🇹

_{WELCOME to my blog on Hive. Here you will find several trips I take in Portugal and information about the main monuments, squares, streets, palaces...
Hug from PORTUGAL 🇵🇹🙏!
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