Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Açores > Angra do Heroísmo > Angra do Heroísmo > Sé
This church is located in the heart of the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo, in the parish of Sé. It is situated in Largo Prior do Crato, adjacent to the building that was once the College and is now the Palace of the Captains-General. Its presence is striking, rising at the top of a wide staircase that dominates the square.
Included in the central area of the city, classified as a World Heritage Site, the church benefits from a historic urban setting and easy access from the main points of interest in the area.
The construction of this imposing temple is due to the Society of Jesus, which established itself in Angra do Heroísmo in the 16th century with the aim of founding a college. The works on the church, dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, began around 1636-1637 and it was opened for worship in 1651. It primarily served the Jesuit community and the students of the annexed college.
After the expulsion of the Jesuits from Portugal in 1759, the college and church complex was adapted for other functions, becoming part of the newly created Palace of the Captains-General. The church was ceded to the Carmelite Third Order, hence it is also known by this name. Over the centuries, the building has undergone several alterations and damages, notably due to earthquakes, and has been the subject of restoration campaigns.
The church's facade exhibits a classic and imposing aesthetic, with sober lines. Unlike many temples of the era, the original Jesuit design did not include prominent bell towers, seeking instead for the building to have an appearance more similar to a grand residence. This characteristic gives it a distinct profile in the religious architectural landscape of the Azores.
Access via the grand staircase highlights the monumentality of the construction and its elevated position facing the square. The stonework used in the quoining, door and window frames contrasts with the plastered surfaces, creating a play of volumes and colors typical of the island's architecture.
The interior of the church is notable for its spaciousness and decorative richness. The single nave is vast, drawing the eye towards the chancel. One of the most distinctive elements is the vaulted wooden ceiling, divided into multiple individually crafted coffers.
The decoration is abundant and varied, including the exuberant gilded carving that adorns altars and altarpieces, lending a special brilliance to the space. It is possible to admire 17th and 18th-century tile panels, depicting various scenes and patterns, as well as sacred paintings. The marquetry work in exotic woods, such as jacaranda, present in some side chapels, demonstrates the artistic refinement applied to the construction and ornamentation of this historic temple.
Above the main entrance, there is the high choir, supported by robust turned wooden columns. In this space resides a valuable pipe organ, built in 1798 by the renowned Portuguese organ builder António Xavier Machado e Cerveira. Although restored, the instrument maintains its original structure and represents an important example of the organ-building art of the era.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.6567994,-27.2194567
Coordinates DMS: 38°39'24.5"N 27°13'10.0"W
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