Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Portel > São Bartolomeu do Outeiro > Herdade das Torres

Location

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção is situated in a tranquil, rural landscape, in the area of Herdade das Torres, part of São Bartolomeu do Outeiro, in the municipality of Portel. The site stands out on a gentle slope that descends towards the Ribeira de Oriola, near the Divor dam. The surroundings are marked by olive trees and other large trees, lending a serene atmosphere and a connection to the Alentejo nature.

Past and Evolution

The origins of this place of worship date back to a very ancient period, with indications of a temple existing between the 9th and 10th centuries. The medieval church, initially a hermitage, was founded around 1270, having been donated by D. Dinis to the Order of the Trinity. Over the centuries, the building underwent various transformations. The construction of the current church began in the 16th century, replacing the previous structure. Subsequent interventions in the 18th and 19th centuries shaped its present configuration, revealing a fusion of architectural styles.

Architectural Features

The church exhibits religious architecture combining Manueline and Baroque elements. Its main façade, oriented in a particular way, features a two-story exonarthex, with an arch and decorated pillars. Above the arch, the insignias of the Order of Malta stand out in stucco, and the upper story culminates in a volute pediment with a bell gable at its center. Several conical pinnacles, of Manueline taste, punctuate the buttressed façades, giving rhythm to the temple's exterior. The entrance portal, in a depressed arch, is framed by stonework, reflecting the richness of the materials used.

The Interior of the Church

Inside, the space is harmoniously differentiated, with a rectangular nave divided into sections and a square chancel. The nave's ceiling is notable for its ribbed vaults, whose ribs rest on granite corbels and bosses, richly decorated with vegetal motifs and even a human mask. The side altars, in gilded and some polychrome carved wood, are detailed works that enrich the environment. The blue marble pulpit and the main altarpiece, in gilded and marbled carved wood, with its Solomonic columns and the commendatory cross of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, are points of great artistic interest. Neoclassical-inspired paintings adorn the lower choir and the chancel, while an ancient tomb with an inscription rests on the chancel floor, bearing witness to the site's long history.

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