Category: Civil Architecture > Ensemble
District: Beja > Aljustrel > Messejana > Bairro de São Brás
The church is located in Praça Primeiro de Maio, in the center of the village of Messejana, in the municipality of Aljustrel, in the Alentejo region, in Portugal.
The church presents a combination of architectural styles, including Manueline, Mannerist, Baroque, and Rococo influences.
The main facade, in Baroque style, is whitewashed and has a stonework portal with an inscription from 1570. There are also medallions representing the five wounds of Christ and a rampant lion.
The church has a side chapel of special interest, with late-Manueline elements and a Mannerist altarpiece. The chapel is covered by an ornamented ribbed vault.
The main altarpiece of the church is a work in the Rococo and late-Baroque styles, decorated with gilded and polychrome woodcarving.
The construction of the church took place in 1570 and was largely financed by D. Lourenço da Silva, a member of the Silva family, who had been linked to Messejana since the 16th century.
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the church underwent extensive remodeling works. The nave and the chancel were expanded, and the old chancel was converted into a side chapel. During this period, altarpieces were installed, and a new main facade was built.
In 2015, a proposal was launched to classify the church as a Property of Municipal Interest.
The church is located in the vicinity of other monuments, such as the Clock Tower, the pillory, and the Casa dos Morgados Moreiras.
The Igreja da Misericórdia de Messejana is an important religious monument that reflects the history and architecture of the Alentejo region.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_da_Misericórdia_de_Messejana
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.834614,-8.2451907
Coordinates DMS: 37°50'4.6"N 08°14'42.7"W
Weather Messejana
On-duty Pharmacy Messejana
