Center for Studies in Architecture and Urbanism

CEAU

Center for Studies
in Architecture and Urbanism

FAUP and Fundação Marques da Silva reactivate classification process for Fernando Távora's Casa da Igreja

July 4th, 2025

The Casa da Igreja, in Mondim de Bastos, has a recognized heritage value, both for its baroque expression, with possibly medieval origins, and for the rehabilitation project by the architect Fernando Távora, dating from the late 1950s.

In view of the latest developments, FAUP, through its UNESCO Chair in Heritage, Cities and Sustainable Construction, and the Marques da Silva Foundation - where the collection of the architect Fernando Távora is preserved - reactivated the process of classifying Casa da Igreja, which had been in preparation for some time, with the support of the architects Bernardo Távora and David Ordoñez.

In conjunction with other ongoing public initiatives - namely the public petition ‘Save the 'Casa da Igreja’ and Fernando Távora's intervention (Mondim de Basto)' - this action aims to actively contribute to safeguarding this heritage, by formalizing the classification process and enhancing dialogue between the parties involved, with a view to preserving and reopening this important legacy to the community.

The historical and architectural importance of the Casa da Igreja has been analyzed by various researchers, including the scientific article ‘Towards a new approach of architectural heritage intervention in Portugal: Fernando Távora and the refurbishment of the Casa da Igreja of Mondim de Basto (1958-1961)’ by David Ordóñez Castañón (Universidad de Sevilla), Teresa Cunha Ferreira (FAUP), Santiago Sánchez-Beitia (Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea).