Century XIX
The current parish church, of neoclassical architectural style, was inaugurated in 1897.
The front façade has a stonework base, wedges embedded in pilasters, crowned by urns with parallelepiped plinths and finished in frieze and cornice. It bears a portal, topped by a cornice decorated with plant motifs. The tympanum has a perfect arched niche housing the image of the patron saint, St. Peter, ending in a curved pediment, decorated with volutes and pinnacles, and topped by a stone papal cross, on an acroterium. The three-tier bell tower, to the north side, has a clock and bell, ending in an onion dome with flame-like motifs and topped by a metallic cross.
Inside, the side chapel opposite the Ambon (table of the word) stands out, which intends to recreate a cave, in allusion to the cave where Our Lady appeared, in Lourdes. The high altarpiece, in revivalist style, and the gilded carving of the neoclassical altarpieces stand out.
Winter, Sunday, 14h30-16h00
Summer, Sunday, 15h00-17h00
Festivities: July 31st, 15h30-23h30. August 1st, 08h30-23h30
St. Peter Fins- Felix of Girona
The parish of Belinho is very old, being referenced in the Census of Bishop D. Pedro (1089) and the great saint St. Felix, hence the name “S. Felix of Bellini”.
The name of St. Peter Fins, as patron saint of Belinho, derives from the fact that the feast of St. Felix, Deacon of Girona (formerly known as Fins), and the ‘chains of St. Peter the Apostle’, are celebrated on the same day, August 1st.
The patron saint Felix does not have a history warranted by reliable sources, but Prudentius (4th century) already mentioned that Girona was proud to have his relics. According to oral tradition, Felix was a young man born in Caesarea Mauritania, North Africa. Felix left his homeland and set out for Hispania to proclaim Christianity in a time of persecution of Christian ideals, driven by the Roman Empire. It was in Girona that the young Mauritanian began the preaching of the Christian faith. His eloquent speeches came to the attention of Prefect Daciano, who soon had him arrested. The young Felix did not renounce to his faith in Christ and, as a consequence, was subjected to a bloody martyrdom. He was whipped, starved in prison, dragged through the streets of the town, tied to two horses and then thrown into the sea of Girona. Felix resisted all this by receiving divine intercession. Then, Felix was arrested again and beheaded, becoming one of the greatest martyrs of Christianity.
