Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Évora > Alandroal > Juromenha > Sítio da Fortaleza
The Church of Our Lady of Loreto stands in the locality of Juromenha, in the municipality of Alandroal, and is located within the historical area of the Fortress Site. This location allows for an appreciation of its sheltered position within the ancient walls, being delimited to the east and south by the fortress defenses and to the north by the old town square. Its presence at one end of the fortification gives it a unique setting, inviting exploration of the remnants of historical Juromenha.
The first records of the Church of Our Lady of Loreto, then known as the Church of Santa Maria, date back to the 13th century. Over the centuries, the building witnessed and overcame various events that shaped its structure. In the 16th century, the church underwent a significant renovation with the addition of the chancel and the sacristy. Later in the 17th century, after damage caused by a violent explosion in the town in 1659, and subsequently by the 1755 earthquake, the temple was extensively rebuilt, gaining new chapels and a baptistery. These interventions resulted in a mixture of styles that tell its long and eventful history.
Although no longer used for religious worship, the church retains its value as municipal heritage, reflecting the importance it held in the life of the Juromenha community over hundreds of years.
The exterior of the Church of Our Lady of Loreto reveals an interesting architectural fusion, combining Gothic austerity with 17th-century elements. The main entrance, through a lateral pointed Gothic arch portal, is one of the oldest vestiges of its original design. On the north facade, two bas-relief plaques are observed: one with the Cross of Avis and another with the Seal of Solomon, adding symbolic elements to its surface.
Inside, the church features three naves divided by full-arch arcades, supported by Tuscan columns. The chancel stands out for its quadrangular plan and hemispherical dome ceiling, once adorned with white and blue painted stuccoes. Although the high altar and some side chapels, such as the Altar of Souls, show vestiges, the ensemble invites one to imagine the original richness of this space. The sacristy, with its triangular design, demonstrates an ingenious adaptation to the configuration of the fortress walls.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.7380202,-7.2392967
Coordinates DMS: 38°44'16.9"N 07°14'21.5"W
Weather Juromenha
On-duty Pharmacy Juromenha
