Century XIX / XX
With its origin traced back to the Middle Ages, the church was rebuilt in 1874 and again in 1994. It has a revivalist architecture, structured on a longitudinal floor plan, with three naves built in different periods. This was the result of a series of interventions and the construction of two side naves in 1994. The tower on the south side was also built around that time, which gave the façade the two symmetrical three-tier towers, with a clock displayed in the north tower. The tympanum has a curved pediment where a niche with the image of the patron saint, Saint Claudius, in granite, is crowned by a cross on an acroterium. Vertically formed by a single panel flanked by pilasters, a straight winged portal in stonework stands out on the façade, with a cornice, topped by a rectangular window crowned by a triangular pediment. The interior decoration includes tiles, polychrome carved altarpieces, stained-glass windows and five frescoes on the ceiling, which correspond to the four evangelists and the patron saint, Saint Claudius.
Winter, Tuesday, Thursday, 09h00-16h00 and Saturday, 16h00-18h00
Summer, Tuesday, Thursday, 09h00-16h00 and Saturday, 17h00-19h00.
Saint Claudius
Little is known about St. Claudius, apart from the account of his martyrdom, together with his brothers Lupercus and Victorius, sons of St. Marcellus of Tangier, the Centurion, born in Leon, Spain The stories about these martyrs recount the challenge that these young Christians posed to the decisions of the Roman Emperors in the first centuries of Christianity, their persecution and compulsory worship of the Roman gods.
St. Claudius defended his faith and was taken before the Roman court, which condemned him, together with his two brothers, after they refuted the Roman laws and religion. Thus, they affirmed the religion of Christ, the Most Holy Trinity, the true Creator and Saviour of the world.
Legend has it that they were beheaded in the year 303. Their Christian fellows, relatives and friends rescued the bodies and buried them in the outskirts of Leon.
The Legend of the Chapel of the Archangel St. Michael
Legend has it that there was a hermitage dedicated to the Archangel S. Miguel in Frossos, parish of Curvos, who was also called St. Michael of Couto. It goes on to say that, a hermit lived there, on a hill many years ago, where he prayed and fasted to fight against the forces of evil. One can view such a beautiful uphill landscape, away from the floodplains of Curvos, where the devil tempted the hermit to distract him from fasting and prayers. The holy man clung to the Archangel St. Michael, the devil’s enemy, to help him in this fight. As a token of gratitude, he built a small hermitage near the place where he used to live. After his death, the local population expanded the hermitage. Because they did so, they said it was a chapel of the people. To this day, one can enjoy a beautiful view of the landscape of Curvos from Frossos, without fearing the devil and his temptations.
