Church of Vera Cruz of Marmelar

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Portel > Vera Cruz > Vera Cruz de Marmelar

Location

The Church of Vera Cruz de Marmelar is located in an area with a peculiar name, Vera Cruz de Marmelar, within the locality of Vera Cruz, which is part of the municipality of Portel. This location suggests a tranquil and serene environment, characteristic of the vast Alentejo region, where history merges with the enveloping calm of the rural landscape.

Profound Origins

This religious temple stands on ground with a particularly long and multifaceted history. The Church of Vera Cruz de Marmelar we observe today was erected upon the vestiges of an ancient monastery of Visigothic origin. From this very remote foundation, which may date back to the 7th century, it is still remarkably possible to recognize the lateral chapels, elements that attest to the temporal depth and historical importance of this site throughout the centuries.

A Medieval Legacy and a Unique Relic

The building is intrinsically linked to the Order of Malta, having functioned as part of an ancient monastery belonging to this order. Its foundation, dating back to the late 13th century, is attributed to Afonso Pires Farinha, a historical figure who participated in the Seventh Crusade to Jerusalem. It was precisely from this journey that Afonso Pires Farinha brought back a relic of singular importance: a fragment of the True Cross. This piece, of profound religious and cultural significance, is one of the most notable aspects of the site, and is still preserved inside the church today, bearing witness to centuries of devotion and history.

The Architecture and Successive Transformations

Although the roots of the Church of Vera Cruz de Marmelar are very ancient, its current form is the result of various interventions and reforms that occurred throughout the centuries. From its medieval conception, the building was adapted and modified, with the most significant changes taking place between the 16th and 19th centuries. These successive transformations bestow upon the church a rich superposition of styles and eras, where the observer can discern the different layers of construction that tell the long architectural history of this important heritage.

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