Santa Barbara Church

Location

- Matriz Parish, Borba Municipality, Portugal.

Classification

- Monument of Public Interest since 2014.

History and Function

- Founded in the first half of the 16th century.

- Served as a parish church for agricultural workers on the surrounding farms.

- Popular among the inhabitants of Borba in the 19th century, who took the "Santa Bárbara walk" on Sundays.

Activities and Culture

- Traditional walk where ladies of high society showed off new dresses.

- The path to the church offers beautiful landscapes.

Interior and Art

- Interior completely decorated with 17th-century mural paintings.

- Highlights include representations of saints, such as Saint Eustace, the patron saint of hunters.

Additional Points of Interest

- Santa Bárbara Gate that gives access to the Royal Hunting Grounds of Vila Viçosa.

- View of the hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Belém in the distance.

Events

- Site of pilgrimages during Easter.