User:PureMelodrama/Clérigos Tower

The Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos) is a notable architectural complex located in the city of Porto, Portugal. Constructed in the eighteenth century, it is considered one of Porto's most iconic monuments.

The complex is located just east of the Jardim João Chagas, a popular park in the city. It comprises three main structures: the Clérigos Church, the Clérigos Tower, and the House of the Brotherhood, which connects the church and the tower and was the former seat of the Brotherhood of the Clerics. Designed by architect Nicolau Nasoni, this complex is one of the most notable examples of the late Baroque style in Portuguese territory and has been classified as a national monument since 1910. It is considered Nasoni's most exemplary work, having incorporated into its granite exterior "a dynamic Rococo morphology that arises through both vernacular and Mannerist design." The most striking architectural elements of the complex are characterized by their irregular and exaggerated shapes, which creates a surprising scenic effect: "The irregular floor plans, the undulating façades, highlighted by a counterpoint of protrusions, balconies, and recesses, interrupted arches, and a great profusion of various windows, complemented by the exuberant bell tower, immediately catch the eye."

After his death, Nasoni was entombed in the Clérigos Church, which he had worked tirelessly to build. Recent rehabilitations to the structure have uncovered a crypt which may contain his remains.

History
The history of the Clérigos architectural complex is closely linked to the Brotherhood of the Clerics, a religious association founded at the beginning of the eighteenth century with the aim of assisting the clergy.