Church of Saint Francis

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Bragança > Bragança > Bragança > Sé, Santa Maria e Meixedo

Location

The Church of São Francisco is located in Bragança, in the area of Sé, Santa Maria, and Meixedo. Its position is integrated into the city's urban fabric, offering a striking presence in its surroundings, easily accessible to those exploring the historic center.

Origins and Historical Legacy

Founded in the 13th century, this church marks the presence of the mendicant order of Saint Francis in Bragança. Legend has it that its creation was due to the Saint himself. One of the first written records, dated 1271, is the will of D. Afonso III, which already referred to this convent. Throughout the centuries, the site was the stage for historical moments, including a possible stay by Queen Saint Isabel in 1282, who is believed to have favored the place. The Church of São Francisco was also a waypoint for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela, integrating into the spiritual routes of the time.

Architectural Evolution

The architecture of the Church of São Francisco reflects the various phases of its history. Although it preserves elements of a medieval structure, the building was rebuilt in the first half of the 17th century. The main façade, in Mannerist style, dates from 1635 and is one of its most characteristic features, topped by a gable and with a central galilee in a perfect round arch. On the left side, a two-tiered bell tower rises. Throughout the 18th century and in 1800, the church and the conventual complex underwent new interventions, which shaped its current appearance, a testament to its adaptability and resilience over time. In the second half of the 19th century, the conventual area, adjacent to the church, was adapted for other functions, including that of a Military Hospital and Asylum.

Artistic Richness of the Interior

The church's interior reveals a collection of artistic elements of notable interest. Among the various 18th-century altarpieces, the one in the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception) stands out, already exhibiting the delicacy of some Rococo applications. In this chapel, the scenic ceiling painting deserves particular attention for its expressiveness. The altarpiece of the main altar, in turn, presents a Neoclassical style. Recent conservation interventions brought to light openings in the apse and mural paintings on the main altar. Among the latter, the representation of the Lady of the Mantle stands out, a theme that would come to be associated with the Misericórdias, and geometric motifs of later execution, enriching the artistic panorama of the site.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt