Main Church of Aljustrel

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Beja > Aljustrel > Aljustrel

Location

Situated in the centre of Aljustrel village, the Mother Church is located in a square that extends over a platform, in a slightly elevated position on the hillside.

This positioning grants it visibility and defines the surrounding space, creating a churchyard in front of the temple.

Architecture and Scale

This temple is distinguished by its remarkable scale. It features a longitudinal plan with a single nave, known for being one of the largest in Alentejo to have a smooth vault supported solely by the side walls.

Its dimensions are considerable, with walls reaching over two meters in thickness. The building integrates elements of Mannerist and Baroque styles, visible in its main façade and overall structure.

Brief Historical Notes

The history of the site dates back, at least, to the 15th century, a period when the original church would have been built, linked to the Order of Santiago. However, the current building is the result of construction campaigns that developed mainly in the first half of the 18th century.

Over the centuries, elements were added, such as a side chapel in the 16th century, and the temple underwent various transformations that shaped its current appearance.

The Interior of the Temple

Inside, the wide nave covered by the vault invites observation of the various elements. Notable features include the side chapels, including one dedicated to Saint Barbara, a relevant figure given Aljustrel's mining tradition.

The main altar, with its polychrome throne and the image of the patron saint, the Holy Saviour, draws the eye. It is on the frontal of this altar that a notable 17th-century polychrome tile panel depicting the Divine Saviour is found. There is also another similar panel in a side chapel.

The church also preserves sets of tiles of particular rarity and artistic value in other parts of the interior. Other elements of interest include the pulpit, the baptismal font, the wooden choir loft, and a 17th-century lavabo in the sacristy.