Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Bragança > Bragança > Bragança > Cidadela de Bragança
Erected in the heart of the Bragança Citadel, the church occupies a small square paved with traditional Portuguese cobblestones. Enclosed by medieval walls, it sits next to the Domus Municipalis and the castle, at an elevated point offering a perspective over the city's ancient rooftops.
The atmosphere is marked by the silence of the ancient walls and the contrast between the white facades and the sobriety of the stonework structures. The intra-mural position invites a contemplative pause before proceeding to explore the rest of the citadel.
Its roots date back to the 14th century, when a Romanesque chapel was erected on the site. Throughout the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, several renovation campaigns transformed it, adding Baroque finishes and Manueline elements, without, however, completely erasing the medieval outline.
The temple accompanied the growth of Bragança, serving local brotherhoods and housing works by distinguished benefactors, such as Pedro de Figueiredo and D. Maria de Figueiroa. The church thus reflects the artistic and social evolution of the city over more than six hundred years.
The imposing main facade stands out for its Baroque portal, flanked by two Solomonic columns carved with grapevines and clusters of grapes, and surmounted by statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The bell tower, next to the entrance, features perfect arch openings and an elegant cubic pinnacle.
Inside, the three naves are separated by Mudéjar brick pillars and covered by a barrel-vault ceiling decorated in trompe-l’œil, where the representation of the Assumption of Mary stands out. The polychrome gilded altarpiece frames a remarkable statue of Saint Mary Magdalene, attributed to the school of Gregorio Fernández.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.8035572,-6.7492574
Coordinates DMS: 41°48'12.8"N 06°44'57.3"W
Weather Bragança
On-duty Pharmacy Bragança
