The Church of Saint Genesius of Boelhe, built during the mid-to-late 13th century, is one of the most beautiful examples of Romanesque design in the Tâmega and Sousa areas.
The walls of this Church stand out for the quality of their construction. A set of geometrical and alphabetic initials are visible, representing the mason's signature.
The main portal resembles the portals found in the Churches of Saint Vincent of Sousa, Saviour of Unhão, and Saint Mary of Airães, which are located in Felgueiras. The portal's capitals, with bevel-carved palmettes, and the circles filled with crosses, resemble the first Christian symbols.
In the north façade, the modillions present a significant variety of themes, from bull heads to men carrying stones.
Tradition attributes the foundation of the Church of Boelhe either to the daughter of King Sancho I, Princess Mafalda, or her grandmother, Queen Mafalda, wife of King Afonso Henriques.
The Church as it is today is the result of a profound restoration that took place between 1929 and 1948.
Location: Penafiel
