Church of Our Lady of Conception

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Castelo Branco > Oleiros > Oleiros > Oleiros-Amieira

Location

The Church of Our Lady of the Conception is situated in the town of Oleiros, within the Oleiros-Amieira area. It is located in a central town square, occupying a prominent position as the main religious building. The church stands isolated in its urban space, surrounded by a churchyard paved with granite cobblestones, which enhances its presence in the local landscape.

Historical Roots and Evolution

Considered the oldest and most important building in the town, the Church of Our Lady of the Conception had its current construction started in 1532, during the reign of King John III. This 16th-century project, with a classical structure of three naves, took many years to complete, to the point of needing repairs even before it was finished. Despite the transformations over time, especially on the façade, the temple preserves a rich decorative programme developed over two centuries. Its historical and artistic importance earned it the classification as a Monument of Public Interest.

Architecture: Contrasts Between Exterior and Interior

The building has a longitudinal plan, with the main nave's body, a narrower and lower chancel, a sacristy, and annexes, complemented by a bell tower. From the outside, the church reveals a relatively sober appearance. The main façade faces west, divided into three sections by pilasters. The straight-lintel portal with an angular pediment stands out, featuring an image of the patron saint, above which a window opens.

Contrasting with the sober exterior, the church's interior reveals significant richness. It is composed of three naves, separated by imposing columns that support the body of the central nave, giving it a sense of spaciousness. Historically, these columns may have come from an old convent in the Mosteiro area.

The Richness of the Tilework

The interior walls feature remarkable coverings. There are remnants of Hispano-Moorish tilework from the 16th century, mainly near the high altar, which show southern influences. On the side walls, there are panels of 18th-century figurative tiles, attributed to painters of the Lisbon School, with the attribution to the Master of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França being the most common. These panels depict biblical and possibly profane scenes, with human figures portrayed in the style of the period.

Treasures in Gilded Woodwork and Painted Ceilings

The church's various altars, including the high altar, are enriched with gilded woodwork. The main altarpiece, dating from the 17th century, is representative of the national style of woodwork. On other altars, it is possible to observe more elaborate woodwork details, with spiral columns adorned with vegetal elements such as vine leaves and bunches of grapes, and figures of birds.

The church's ceilings are also worthy of attention. They are made of painted wooden coffers. In the nave, some coffers depict scenes from the Old Testament. In the chancel, the barrel vault ceiling is also filled with painted coffers, featuring 27 panels of Marian evocation, adding a striking visual and thematic element to the space.

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