Santana Mother Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Portel > Santana > Bairro da Escola

Location

The Main Church of Santana is located in the town of Santana, an area belonging to the municipality of Portel. Situated in the Bairro da Escola (School Neighborhood), its presence marks a central reference point for the local community, integrating into the urban landscape of this area.

Roots and Architectural Transformations

The Main Church of Santana has its roots in medieval foundations, bearing witness to a long history of faith and construction. In the early 16th century, the original structure underwent a profound architectural reformulation. This intervention endowed the building with elements of the Manueline style, characterized by its richness and originality. Particularly noteworthy is the impressive ribbed vault that covers the nave, a distinctive element that captivates the eye with its complexity and beauty.

The Splendor of Baroque Art

Centuries later, in the 18th century, the church was enriched by a decorative campaign with a Baroque inclination. This phase brought new splendor to the interior of the temple, with the addition of three altarpieces in gilded carving. One of these altarpieces adorns the main chapel, the most sacred space of the church, while the other two are distributed along the side elevations of the nave. The exuberance and detail of these works of art, with their golden glow, invite close observation and reveal the artistic taste of the era.

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