Igreja Matriz de Freixo de Espada à Cinta
Igreja vista de cima
Vista para a porta principal
Porta lateral
Igreja vista de cima
Built on the site of a medieval church founded by King Dinis, the Renaissance Church of São Miguel, Matriz de Freixo de Espada à Cinta, is located in the 16th-century centre of the border town. Its interior is organised according to the hallenkirchen scheme (hall churches), with the roofs of the three naves having a ribbed vault at the same height, a feature revealed at the level of the buttressed façade.
Despite the various intervention campaigns it underwent throughout the modern age, it maintained a strong Manueline style, as exemplified by the entrance portal flanked by pilasters and relief decoration, which helped to soften the structural austerity of the temple. During the reign of D. João V, the gilded main altarpiece in national Baroque style was introduced, with the sixteen painted panels of the original altarpiece, belonging to the Grão Vasco school, being placed on the side walls of the main chapel.
The Space
Recently renovated space with good access and parking.
Inside, there are no problems with humidity and the space has good insulation elements, namely double glazing on the windows.
The space has an interpretive center with security, an important element to guarantee access to the space and bathroom. There are also some storage spaces and furniture for loan (chairs, etc.).
Strengths:
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Lots of parking
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Access ramp
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Good natural lighting
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Access control panel lighting
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Accessible and friendly space managers
Weaknesses:
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Some lighting elements induce noise
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Museum ventilation noise audible in the church (although it was possible to turn it off)
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Church entrance floor too uneven for wheeled loads
Score from 0 to 10
8
Detailed information
The Sound
A space with good dimensions, and several possibilities of positioning for recording and performance. Main chapel with generous dimensions that allows this space to be adopted as a recording space with an attached reverberation chamber (Nave).
Very pleasant space response with special focus on the bass that is present in different tunings despite the size of the space.
The ensemble's sound image is especially evident in space, which facilitates sound separation.
Strengths:
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Balanced response with good bass response
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Good isolation from external noise
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Various areas
Weaknesses:
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Space for regie (sacristy) away from the representation area
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Central arch a little tight for a space of this size, which strangles some positions
Score from 0 to 10
7
Detailed information
The Surroundings
The area around the venue is calm. Services are relatively close by. It is not far from a large city (Lamego). The community closest to the building is small. On the day of the concert, there were not many people.
Strengths:
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Calm surroundings
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Nearby services
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Lots of parking
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Good access
Weaknesses:
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Low public attendance
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Building relatively close to the road
Score from 0 to 10
9
Detailed information
Parceiros:
