Bravães - Igreja de São Salvador

A Benedictine convent existed here since ~ 1080. End of the 12th century the monastery got imncorporated into a commandry of the Knights Templar, whom the monks had to pay for protection. Later Augustin Canons lived here until the convent got dissolved and the church converted into a parish church in 1434.

The "Igreja de São Salvador", erected within the 12th century, is small, but has wonderful and very unique carvings. The (maybe incomplete) tympanum is not that special, as obviously different workshop or masters have worked here.

Christ (in a blessing gesture, holding the bible) sits in a mandorla, that is held by two persons.

The lintel is supported by two large animal heads. Left is a bovine.