☰Alentejo
Churches
Jose Goncalves | BY-SA
The Chapel of São Frutuoso was, incredibly, first built by the Visigoth kingdom in the sixth century AD. This makes it some 1500 years old, and one of few such structures to exist anywhere in Portugal. Today its squat Greek cross form and plain stone exterior is somewhat overshadowed by the much later Church of São Salvador, which is connected to it on one side.
Tradition has it that this place of Christian worship was built to replace an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine and good health. It managed to survive the period of Arab rule on the Iberian...
Carlos P. Gonçalves | BY-SA
Dating to origins in the thirteenth century, the Igreja de São Leonardo is the parish church to the region of Atouguia da Baleia in Peniche. It is the oldest place of Christian worship in Peniche. According to local legend, the church was initially constructed with whale bones that had washed up on the shoreline nearby.
A Portuguese national monument since 1949, almost as soon as it was built it became a burial place for the Counts of Atouguia. Perhaps as a result, it has seen a successive series of embellishments throughout the centuries.
An excellent example of the Parish...
Isogood | BY-SA
This pretty little chapel stands at the western end of the Peniche peninsula, near Cabo Cavoeiro, and is believed to date from the 1600s. However, it sits on land that has been considered holy since images of the Virgin Mary appeared in a cave here in medieval times. According to local legend, they were discovered by a pirate seeking refuge.
The chapel's interior has some delightful seventeenth century painted azulejo tiles in traditional blue and white detailing the Mary's life. A humbling spot that demonstrates the religious devotion of many Portuguese even today, the chapel is...
Ulf Huebner
The largest church in Peniche, the Igreja de São Pedro (Church of Saint Peter) sits at the heart of the historic town centre. It dates back to the late 1500s, a similar period to the fortress home of the Museu Municipal de Peniche.
Unlike many of the other baroque churches in Peniche, the Igreja de São Pedro has a relatively plain exterior. But step beyond this solid façade and you'll be greeted with the full glory of intricate wood carving and delicate gold gilt work. In addition to the main altar that honours Saint Peter...
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Martyrs (Basílica de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires) is one of a trio of Rococo / Baroque churches built within a stone's throw of each other on Chiado's Rua da Garrett. This and the other two strikingly similar churches were built in the late 18th century after much of the area was flattened by the great earthquake of 1755.
There was previously an earlier Baroque church on the site but the original church here dated back to 1147 when the forces of D. Afonso Henriques reconquered Lisbon from the Moors. On the main door there is a relief by Francisco Leal...
Xauxa (Håkan Svensson) | BY-SA
Set within a complex of two churches; the 15th century church of Santo António dos Frades and Igreja dos Terceiros - just to the south of the town centre, is the Museu dos Terceiros or Museum of the Third Order. This is in part a museum of sacred art but it the churches themselves also from much of the interest.
Both church interiors are predominantly 17th and 18th century and in keeping with the period the interiors are fine examples of Baroque design. Altarpieces, pulpits and pelmet are of Rococo design and there is some beautifully painted wood panelling in the sacristy. Along...
Nmmacedo | BY-SA
The late 15th century church of São João Baptista is Vila do Conde's "mother" church and without doubt the most interesting in the town. Located in the attractive setting of the central Praça Vasco da Gama the bare granite church stands across from the 18th century town hall and other buildings of the period.
One of the first things you will notice about the church is the main portal with is in the richly decorated Manueline style featuring an arch of intricately carved stonework. This dates back to the time when the church was first built and can be seen in churches and monasteries...
Juntas | BY-SA
The stretch of coast along Costa da Caparica is home to a slightly strange geological feature where the cliffs rise not from the sea, but several hundred metres inland. This is most pronounced in the resort town itself where behind the apartment blocks is a small plain with fields. Suddenly, a steep escarpment rises up, and it is here that you will find the 16th century Convento dos Capuchos.
As you can imagine the convent commands a spectacular sweeping panorama over the coast below. In fact there is a viewpoint (miradouro) here from which you can see Lisbon and the hills of Sintra...
Kolforn | BY-SA
The parish church (Igreja Matriz) in Albufeira is one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in the Algarve. Built in the late 18th century it stands on the site of an earlier church which was converted from a pre-existing mosque.
Inside there is a single nave with four neoclassical side altars which contain notable artworks featuring St. Louis and St. Peter. Also worthy of note is the filigree stucco-work on the barrel vault ceiling.
However, it is in the chancel, beyond an imposing triumphal arch with its Cross of Aviz, that you will find the main reason for...
GFreihalter | BY-SA
Despite the relatively recent Baroque styling of the facade the Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão is in fact one of the most ancient churches in Portugal. The site possibly dates back to the 7th century when it may have been used as a sanctuary by the Visigoths.
It is actually more likely the chapel started out in the 9th or 10th century as the reconquests gained traction. Whilst the The layout is believed to remain as it was, what we see today is very much a mixture of styles and influences from the intervening centuries.
A closer look at some of the stones, including those...
Albufeira
Cascais
