Main Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation of Viana do Alentejo

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Viana do Alentejo > Viana do Alentejo

Location

The Parish Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation is located in the heart of Viana do Alentejo, an Alentejo village with a historical legacy. Situated in the area known as Quinta do Marco, the church occupies a central place in the town's urban landscape, allowing visitors to observe its grandeur from various points in the village.

A Legacy of Styles

This church is a remarkable example of the region's architecture, recognized by art historians as a significant expression of Alentejo Late Gothic. Its design harmoniously blends the final phase of the Gothic style with the geometric precision of the Italian Renaissance and the unique ergonomics of Mudéjar. Its initial layout is thought to have been the work of the royal architect Diogo de Arruda, a name associated with important constructions of the era.

The Richness of the Main Portico

The entrance portico is one of the church's most distinctive elements and an undeniable reference of the Manueline style in the region. Its composition integrates several symbols of great significance: we find elements of royal heraldry, such as the royal arms, the cross of the Order of Christ, and the armillary spheres. Alongside these, religious details appear, such as the grapevine. All this symbolism is applied on a Renaissance-matrix base, visible in its proportion, and enriched with details that recall the Plateresque style in its lateral pillars.

The Interior and Its Altars

Upon entering, the visitor encounters a structure of three naves, supported by eight pillars that bear the roof. In the chancel area, three chapels stand out: to the left, that of Our Lady of the Rosary; to the right, that of the Souls; and, in the center, the main chapel, which evokes the scene of the Annunciation. Inside, near the access to the sacristy, the altar of the Child Jesus and the altar of Saint Louis of France deserve attention, both adorned with delicate giltwood carving. There is also an altar dedicated to the memory of Father Luís António da Cruz.

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