Century XVII
Rebuilt in the 17th century, its present appearance is the result of successive renovations, with remaining features that point to the Romanesque origin of the original temple, in an architectural dialogue between Romanesque and neoclassical characteristics.
Its majestic architecture consists of a construction in dry stone masonry without plaster or painting. The main façade has a smooth rectangular portico, crowned by a quadrilobe-shaped rosette in a cross, culminating in a double-pitched slope crowned by a cross supported by acroterium. The sacristy is located on the south side, at the angle of the main body with one of the side chapels. On the north gable is the bell tower, topped by a pyramid. The side chapels also bear rosettes of the same type as the main façade.
The interior has a coffered ceiling and the altarpieces are gilded woodwork in the national Baroque style.
Winter, Saturday, 09h00-18h00.
Summer, Saturday, 09h00-18h00.
Saint Martin
Saint Martin was born in Savaria (present-day Szombathely) in the Roman province of Pannonia in the 4th century, a region of present-day Hungary. His father was a soldier in the Roman army, probably pagan, and enlisted his son in the same service to the Emperor of Rome, to counteract his desire to become a Christian at the age of 15.
However, Martin, the soldier, was already a devout catechumen. At this stage in his life, the famous passage of Amiens took place, in which, whilst seeing a poor man without clothes and cold, he cut off half of his military cloak to cover the naked body of the beggar. He kept the other part for himself and felt comforted and close to Christ.
When he left the army, Martin went to Poitiers seeking the famous bishop, Saint Hilary, dedicating himself to his service. There, he was ordained a priest. By divine inspiration, he asked for Hilary’s permission to return to the land where he was born and convert his family. He was successful with his mother’s conversion. He returned to Italy where he was subjected to several deprivations and outrage. He returned to Gaul to be with Hilary again. However, he then retired to a hut where he remained for 11 years, away from the world. Many disciples followed him, attracted by the fame of holiness.
In 371, Martin took over the episcopate in Tours, the see that will definitively mark his name: Saint Martin of Tours. He was zealous in his evangelization mission and in the administration of the Church, against heresies and wars between clerics. In a mission of Christian reconciliation, he died and, lying on a bed of ashes, gave himself to his supreme teacher, Christ, to whom he dedicated his life!
Legend of the Seat of the Church
Legend has it that when the Romanesque church was demolished in the 17th century and it was decided to change its location, something unexpected happened during the move to the new location chosen, Matinho. One of the ox-carts carrying the stones had its wheel broken, making it impossible to continue the journey. People saw the hand of God in the accident! It was then decided to build the new church right there, and the place was renamed the Seat of the Church.
