Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Évora > Évora > Torre de Coelheiros > Herdade da Silveira
Situated within the serene Herdade da Silveira, near the village of Torre de Coelheiros, in the municipality and district of Évora, the Old Parish Church of São Marcos and its Manueline Portal are immersed in the typical Alentejo landscape. This rural setting provides an environment of profound tranquility, with unobstructed views over the rolling fields, where the monument's presence suggests a historical link to the life and rural communities of the region. Its location on an estate lends it a character of isolation and introspection, inviting contemplation of heritage within the Alentejo nature.
As its name suggests, this edifice once served as the parish church of São Marcos, an essential point of reference for the local community throughout the centuries. The designation "Old" underscores its long and rich history, bearing witness to the evolution of religious and social life in Herdade da Silveira and its surroundings. Erected to be the spiritual and communal heart, the church played a central role in the daily lives of its parishioners, hosting celebrations and rites that marked the cycle of life, from baptisms to other ceremonies.
The most distinctive element of the Old Parish Church of São Marcos is its Manueline Portal, which lends a unique artistic and historical value to the ensemble. This architectural style, predominant in Portugal during the reign of D. Manuel I (late 15th and early 16th centuries), reflects the golden age of the Maritime Discoveries. It is probable that the portal exhibits the characteristic decorative elements that define the Manueline style, such as intertwined ropes, marine motifs, naturalistic elements inspired by flora and fauna, and possibly royal symbols like the armillary sphere or the Cross of Christ. The presence of this portal is a testament to the importance of the building and the artistic movement that marked a fundamental period of Portuguese history.
Beyond the elaborate portal, the general structure of the church reveals the characteristics of rural Alentejo religious architecture. A construction of sober and robust lines is expected, typical of the sacred buildings in the region, which often combine a single nave with massive masonry walls. The interior, likely devoid of grand ornamentation, would have an environment conducive to reflection, contrasting with the sculptural richness of the main portal. This dichotomy between the simplicity of the edifice and the exuberance of the Manueline element constitutes, in itself, an interesting aspect, illustrating the transitions and superpositions of styles over the centuries in Portuguese vernacular architecture.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.4385974,-7.8990612
Coordinates DMS: 38°26'19.0"N 07°53'56.6"W
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