Main Church of Our Lady of Candles

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Mourão > Mourão > Bairro Doutor Baltazar Rebelo de Sousa

Location

The Mother Church of Our Lady of Candeias stands majestically in Mourão, a small village in the heart of Central Alentejo, known for its white houses. The temple is located within the perimeter of Mourão Castle, situated at the highest point of the village, in the Bairro Doutor Baltazar Rebelo de Sousa. Its position grants it a remarkable presence in the landscape, contributing to the historical and serene atmosphere of the locality.

A Look at History

The construction of this church, dedicated to Our Lady of Candeias, dates back to the 17th century. It was built by determination of the then prince regent D. Pedro, future Pedro II of Portugal, in 1681. The project was carried out by the engineer Diogo Pardo de Osório. Throughout its history, the church suffered significant damage, particularly from the 1755 earthquake, which considerably affected its interior. Later, in the 1960s and 1970s, the temple underwent conservation and restoration interventions, which helped preserve its structure and beauty.

Architectural Features

The Mother Church of Our Lady of Candeias is a notable example of religious architecture in Baroque style. It has a rectangular plan and its main façade, facing south, stands out with a portico carved in white marble. This portal is framed by a round arch and decorated with the royal coat of arms of Portugal, flanked by the cross of Aviz, and the image of the Virgin and Child at the top.

Inside, the space reveals a wide main nave, accompanied by four side altars, each dedicated to different devotions, such as the Chapel of Souls or that of Saint John the Baptist. The chancel is particularly imposing, with a high triumphal arch enriched by a mural painting that covers the entire area up to the vault. The altarpiece of the main altar, in polychrome carving, displays Solomonic columns and houses the revered image of the patroness, Our Lady of Candeias. This image, made of Ançã stone, is approximately 1.20m tall and dates back to the Gothic-Manueline style. The bell tower houses three bronze bells, cast in 1946, which mark the time in the village.

The Patroness and the Devotion

The devotion to Our Lady of Candeias in Mourão is ancient and profound, dating back to the 14th century. Popular tradition and an old local legend tell that the Virgin appeared under a gorse bush near the castle. Although a primitive hermitage in the castle was demolished, it is claimed that the current temple was erected with stones from the old walls. For a long time, popular belief suggested that the original gorse bush was located beneath the church's main altar, although recent interventions have not confirmed that part of the legend. The community's strong connection to the patroness remains alive, with the church being the epicenter of enduring faith in Mourão.

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