Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Beja > Moura > Safara > Praça 25 de Abril
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is located in the heart of Safara, standing out in the center of Praça 25 de Abril. Situated atop a plateau, at an altitude of approximately 207 meters, its elevated position grants it a prominent presence in the town's urban landscape, serving as a central reference point for visitors to Safara.
This parish temple is a testament to architectural evolution over several centuries, with elements dating back to the Manueline and Mannerist periods. Its main construction took place around the year 1600, although the sacristy, an older part, dates from the first half of the 16th century and already exhibits Manueline characteristics.
The main facade, facing west, impresses with its Mannerist composition, inspired by classical models. Notable features include the stone portal, flanked by pilasters with Ionic capitals, and the inscribed date "1600". The bell tower, attached to the facade, displays rich decoration with geometric reliefs in mortar. The lateral and rear facades are adorned with a profusion of sgraffito work and reliefs, representing geometric shapes, masks, and garlands, which lend the church's exterior a visually appealing and sophisticated character.
Upon entering the church, one finds a space with three naves divided by stone columns, covered by vaults. The choir loft, in the first bay, features an iron railing from the late 19th century. The chancel, with its barrel vault, houses a gilded carved altarpiece, dating from the early 18th century. The side walls of the chancel are covered with 18th-century figurative tiles, in shades of blue and white, which enrich the ambiance.
The sacristy, being the oldest part, deserves special attention for its ribbed vault, a beautiful example of Manueline architecture applied to more modest spaces, still preserving the corbels and the keystones in worked stonework. Inside, there are also traces of old mural paintings and lateral chapels that complete the ensemble.
A particularly unusual and interesting detail can be observed on the church's door sills. On the sills of the main door and a side door, there are engraved Alquerque de Doze game boards. These traces indicate that this ancient board game, with roots in Ancient Egypt and introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by the Arabs in the 7th century, was practiced at this location, offering a curious link to the past and the customs of the people who passed through there over the centuries.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.1082382,-7.2182108
Coordinates DMS: 38°06'29.7"N 07°13'5.6"W
Weather Safara
On-duty Pharmacy Safara
