Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Beja > Ferreira do Alentejo > Alfundão > Largo Luís da Rocha Mâncio
Situated in the heart of the town of Alfundão, this church is located in Largo Luís da Rocha Mâncio. It is isolated in the center of this square, benefiting from a calm and unobstructed environment.
The square surrounding it includes a small garden, offering a tranquil space. To the right of the church, a traditional fountain complements the urban setting where the temple is located.
The history of this church dates back centuries. Documents point to its existence as early as the 16th century, although the form we see today results from later constructions and modifications, especially in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
Originally, this place of worship was known as the Hermitage of Saint Peter. Over time, it grew in importance and structure, becoming the Parish Church dedicated to Our Lady of Conception.
A detail linking this temple to the history of Portugal is the legend of an image of Our Lady of Conception. It is said to have been brought from India by Cristovão Estribeiro, a nobleman from Ferreira do Alentejo who accompanied Vasco da Gama on his famous maritime voyage.
It is believed that an even older religious building may have existed on the site where the church stands today. The presence of a block of carved stonework, found near the sacristy door, suggests a primitive occupation, possibly linked to the Visigothic period.
The church presents a main facade with a picturesque design. Although it has undergone alterations over time, it maintains a popular aesthetic characteristic of the Alentejo region, with its blue painted plinth contrasting with the white walls.
On the simple triangular gable of the facade, beneath a modern clock, a lunette decorated with a stone hospitaller cross is still visible. Attached to one side, the bell tower rises, with its own triangular pediment and topped by a weathercock.
The bell tower houses two bronze bells: an old bell, used for signals, and a more recent one, which strikes the hours.
Upon entering, visitors find a nave covered by a simple barrel vault. The interior of the church reveals the superposition of different eras and styles, a result of successive interventions over the centuries.
You can observe various side altars, some with elaborate stucco retables attempting to imitate marble, decorated with mural paintings and classical elements such as Corinthian columns. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, in particular, stands out for its stuccowork and the mural representation of the Last Supper.
The chancel, narrower than the nave, is covered by a vault similarly decorated with paintings. On the chancel ceiling, an oval medallion displays the image of the patroness, Our Lady of Conception.
One of the most artistically valuable elements inside the church is found revesting the triumphal arch that connects the nave to the chancel. It is an extensive tile panel dating from the 17th century.
This set of tiles is considered unique in the Iberian Peninsula, distinguished by its technique and composition. Its observation allows for an appreciation of Portuguese tile art from this period and constitutes one of the highlights of a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Conception.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.1188669,-8.0625842
Coordinates DMS: 38°07'7.9"N 08°03'45.3"W
Weather Alfundão
On-duty Pharmacy Alfundão
