Church of Our Lady of Grace

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Coimbra > Condeixa-a-Nova > Ega

Location

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça stands in Ega, a locality belonging to the municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova. This historical temple is located in a prominent position on the slope of a hill, overlooking the village, which gives it a striking presence in the landscape. Surrounded by houses and vegetation, the church benefits from a serene and traditional setting.

Roots and Transformation

The history of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça dates back to the 12th century, a period when the Order of the Templars established its foundations in the region. However, its current architecture is the result of a profound reconstruction that took place in the first half of the 16th century. It was during this time that the building acquired its distinctive Manueline style, characteristic of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance in Portugal.

Among the names associated with this work, Marcos Pires, the master builder to whom the main portal is attributed, and Diogo de Castilho, the architect responsible for the remarkable vault of the chancel, stand out. The church is today recognized as a Property of Public Interest, attesting to its historical and artistic importance.

Details of Stonework and Tiling

As one approaches the church, attention is drawn to its Manueline portal, a work of sculpted stonework that impresses with the richness of its details. It is possible to observe motifs such as intertwined trunks and twisted logs, which frame the polycentric arch. In the space between the doorway and the arch, the National Arms flanked by two armillary spheres, symbols of Portuguese maritime expansion, and the Cross of Christ, a distinctive finial of the portal, are highlighted.

Inside, the nave features walls covered with blue and white tiles, dating from the 17th century, which give the space a welcoming atmosphere. Two side chapels with fluted pilasters and dome coverings complement the interior composition, highlighting the diversity of decorative elements throughout the centuries.

Treasures of Sacred Painting

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça houses a remarkable altarpiece, a triptych of great value to early Portuguese painting. Dating from the mid-16th century and painted by Diogo Contreiras, the central panel depicts Nossa Senhora da Graça. On the side panels, scenes from the Conversion of Saint Paul and the Fall of Simon Magus are depicted, inviting a close observation of the artistic mastery of the time.

An element of particular interest are the fifteenth-century mural paintings present in the triumphal arch. These were only discovered in the 1940s, revealing an artistic legacy that had been hidden for centuries beneath later coverings, adding a layer of depth and discovery to the visit.

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