Igreja de São Gens de Boelhe, Penafiel
Igreja de São Gens de Boelhe
The Igreja de São Gens de Boelhe in the village of Boelhe is said to be the smallest Romanesque church in Portugal. A National Monument, the tiny church sits on a hill overlooking the River Tâmega. It is thought the church was built by the wife of Dom Afonso Henriques.
Boelhe is located in the Minho region of northern Portugal about 48 km east of Porto on the A4 and 15 km south of Penafiel on the N106.
History
The church is thought to date from the early days of the Portuguese monarchy.
Its construction is attributed to Mafalda de Saboia, the wife of Portugal's first king Afonso Henriques.
The church has been a National Monument since 1927 and underwent significant restoration in the 1950s.
Architecture
The church is Romanesque in style with a single nave and bell tower. The stonework on the exterior is of interest with simple but evocative carved figures on the capitals and gables. These range from bull's heads to men carrying stone.
The main portal has similarities with the portals of the churches of São Vicente de Sousa, Salvador de Unhão and Santa Maria de Airães.
Access
Largo da Igreja
Boelhe, Penafiel
Porto
Getting to Penafiel
Buses
There are expresso long-distance and more local services from Penafiel to Amarante and Porto.
By car the town is a 40 minute drive, depending on the traffic, from Porto on the A4. From Amarante it is 20 minutes. From Guimarães the journey by car is just over 30 minutes south on the A11. From Vila Real allow around 40 minutes on the A4 going west.
Trains
Penafiel Station is the nearest railway station, 3 km from the center. There are trains to Porto to both Campanha and São Bento stations.
Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation
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Recommended Hotel
Penafiel Park Hotel & Spa
R. Província de Pontevedra s/n, 4560-232 Penafiel
The deluxe 4-star hotel offers pleasing modern decor and an excellent restaurant. There are great views of the surrounding countryside.
Other recommended hotels are the Hotel Rural Quinta das Quintães, with outdoor pool, the Dom Hotel and Palace Hotel & Spa Termas de São Vicente some way distant on the N106.
Penahotel is the oldest hotel in Penafiel and is conveniently located in the center of the town.
See a listing of hotels in Penafiel.
Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com
Hostels in Portugal - Booking.com
Eating
There is a reasonable selection of good restaurants in Penafiel.
For excellent local Portuguese cuisine try the rather remote Restaurante Rocha in the village of Abragão. South west of the center is Casa Da Viuva - noted for its excellent wine. You will probably need your own transport or a taxi to get to both these restaurants.
More central are Restaurante O Casanova and O Cedro.
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The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22C and 26C.
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