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Iglesia de Santa María del Castillo
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Brief Description
It was erected during the XVI century by the parish of Santa María del Castillo in the place of the small original Templar church of the thirteenth century. This church, traditionally known as ‘La Matriz’, was much deteriorated, therefore in 1545 its parochial headquarters were transferred to those of the newly erected Medeleine. The reconstruction work did not begin until 1584, and the new church was blessed in 1628 by the Bishop of Elvas, Sebastián de Mathos e Noronha.
The architectural style is that of the traditional church hall, with three sections of the same height constructed of granite blocks. With the exception of the tower and the buttresses of the walls, the exterior walls are whitewashed, with flaring openings to the interior. The exterior of the tower is of Stone masonry, divided into three sections, whose bases emphasise the main gate of the church, which is flanked by columns ending with torches and an interesting porthole.
Its interior is of classical style, showing influences of the late Renaissance, where three aisles divide the temple into four parts, covered by canopies supported by beautiful ionic-style columns.
With regards to the tiles there are XVII panes, with the ‘maçaroca’ style predominant in of the aísles. The main altar is tiled to reproduce the stories of the XVIII century, depicting the life of Joshua, the taking of Jericho and the defence of Gibeon.
The main alter is of baroque style, with beautiful tiles of the same style lining the lower part and the sides. On the gospel side of the chapel there is a spectacular allegory of the family tree of the Virgin, which depicts some large polychrome figures such as Jesse (father of King David).
Hours
Mornings from 8.00 to 14.00 (Every day except Monday)
Near Resources in 3Km
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