Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Beja > Mértola > Corte do Pinto > Mina de São Domingos
The Church of São Domingos stands in the area of the São Domingos Mine, next to Corte do Pinto, in the municipality of Mértola. The temple is situated on a slightly elevated plateau, framed by the ruins of the old mining complex and the gentle Alentejo hills.
From the square surrounding the church, one can see a landscape dominated by open fields and leafy carob trees, offering a calm setting that invites contemplative pauses.
A 19th-century church previously existed on the site, completed in 1863, which suffered two destructions, one in 1876 and another in a fire in August 1938. The current construction was built from scratch and completed in 1951.
Despite serving a small village, the building presents generous proportions, reminiscent of the Mother Church of Mértola, reflecting the historical and cultural importance that the Dominican (or São Domingos) cult acquired in the mining region.
The facade maintains an immaculate white, enhanced by four cylindrical buttresses that frame the main access arch, crowned by a circular rose window and a finial cross. The formal simplicity contrasts with the monumentality of the ensemble.
Around it, the atrium paved with pebbles and limestone is punctuated by a granite cross in the center, creating a photographic point of strong visual impact, especially at dusk, when the golden light reinforces the textures of the outdoor altar.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.67336613912199,-7.499106600386557
Coordinates DMS: 37°40'24.1"N 07°29'56.8"W
Weather Corte do Pinto
On-duty Pharmacy Corte do Pinto
