Igreja de São Gião

Igreja de São Gião is a rectangular stone church with a gabled roof and a central rounded arch entrance that repeats along its lateral walls. The building sits west of Casal Mota at the base of Serra da Pescaria.

The structure was initially attributed to Visigothic construction in the 7th century but was later redated to the 10th century through recent architectural studies. This reassessment shows how our understanding of early buildings continues to evolve.

The interior displays Byzantine influences in its iconostasis design and contains wooden ceiling structures divided by a transverse wall extending to the roof. These architectural features reveal cultural exchange that unfolded over centuries.

The church is accessible via an unpaved road from Ponte da Barca, requiring some preparation for the approach. Being located in a rural setting means you should expect limited visiting hours and plan accordingly.

Archaeological campaigns between 1965 and 1999 revealed hidden internal structures, including opus signinum flooring and traces of earlier construction phases. These discoveries help explain how the building was modified multiple times over the centuries.