Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Póvoa de Varzim

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Basílica do Sagrado Coração de Jesus) is a Roman Catholic church, a Jesuit basilica, in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. It is part of the parish of Matriz and it is the largest temple in Póvoa de Varzim. Construction began in 1890 and by 1900 the original plan by chaplain Priest Ferreira, drawing professor in the Espirito Santo College in Braga, was revealed. However, the details of the basilica's facade, in Neoclassical style, differs from the original plan and, due to its history, has eclectic elements. The temple is known by its dome, where the icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is found, a sculpture of Jesus Christ. The base of this dome is lit by twelve windows in arc that allow entrance of light, giving lightness to the structure and offering the illusion of a celestial aureole. The basilica has an estimated mean capacity of about 2,000 people. The temple is 30.10 meters in height, topped by a 4.5-meter-high (15 ft) statue.

Since the second half of the 16th century, the Jesuits were present in Póvoa de Varzim. In early 18th century, the company established the Irmandade do S.S. Coração de Jesus (brotherhood of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Póvoa fortress, which summed up with over 2,000 brothers, in certain periods, including people from Póvoa and neighboring lands. The brotherhood was extinct by King Joseph, during the expulsion of the society from Portugal in 1761.

In the 19th century, the Jesuits returned and throw their missions, the "Apostolado de Oração" (Praying Apostolate) mission in 1883 and the increase of devotions, the society acquired once again a considerable influence in the Povoan society of the time. João Francisco Trocado, secretary of Apostolado de Oração League, acquired an icon of the Heart of Jesus blessed by cardinal D. Américo in 1888 in Porto and by that the idea to build a worthy temple, a basilica, for the sculpture, appeared. The imposing new church aimed to be for Northern Portugal, the same as Basílica da Estrela was for Lisbon. The church was built in the old town o

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