Building Granite Characterisation, Construction Phases, Mason’s Marks and Glyptography of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe Church, Mouçós e Lamares, Galicia-North Portugal Euroregion

Abstract

The Romanesque church of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe of Mouçós e Lamares is located in Vila Real (North of Portugal). The exterior part of its nave is preserved almost unaltered. Most of the granite ashlars and corbels that make up this church have a mason’s mark in the centre of their faces. The building granites (Sanguinhedo and Vale das Gatas) have been identified and characterised petrographically and petrophysically. The mason’s marks have been as well identified; all the ashlars with visible mason’s marks have been mapped, and a glyptographic study has been carried out. In addition, the surface roughness of ashlars was measured. All these analyses have made it possible to locate the main historical quarry, to calculate the number of stonemasons who worked in the construction of the church, and to determine its construction phases. There are eight main types of mason’s marks on the nave façades. The quarrymen extracted the main building granite (Sanguinhedo granite) from the same quarry, or from nearby quarries. Although the most experienced stonemason has been identified, most stonemasons worked as a team during all construction phases of the church. Techniques such as petrography, ultrasonic P wave velocity, colourimetry, roughness and the determination of hydric properties will guarantee the quality and durability of the heritage stone for restorations. In addition, the glyptographic analysis revealed important historical and ethnographic findings that will be very useful for the appreciation of the monument. Therefore, the knowledge of built heritage, such as mason’s marks contribute to the conservation of historical quarries and traditions, as well as help understand the close cultural association societies have had with heritage stones. In this way, the scientific corpus of historical-cultural heritage can face for the development of tourism in Galicia-North Portugal Euroregion in a long-lasting sustainable way.