Church of Saint Peter of Gafanhoeira

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Évora > Arraiolos > Gafanhoeira > São Pedro

Foundation Date and Architectural Style

The Church of São Pedro da Gafanhoeira, dating from 1585, features Gothic and Mannerist religious architecture.

Remains of the Primitive Temple

Of the original Gothic-Manueline building, only the arches and discharge corbels behind the tribune of the altarpiece of the main altar remain.

Construction and Renovation

The parish church, dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle, was built in the late 16th century, replacing an earlier Gothic building. The work was promoted by the Archbishop of Évora, D. Teotónio de Bragança.

Episcopal Visitation

In 1534, the church was referenced by the visitation of the Cardinal Bishop of Évora, D. Afonso, who reinforced the structure with two buttresses and added a porch to the main door. The main altar received a frontispiece of Seville tiles.

Architectural Features

The church exhibits a plain architecture typical of the Évora style, influenced by the Henrican architecture of the mid-16th century. The interior, with a single nave and barrel vault ceiling, follows the canons of the plain style of the late century.

Notable Elements

The Manueline apse was preserved during the construction of the new building. The church is comparable to other important churches, such as Santo Antão de Évora and Santa Maria de Estremoz.

Sources: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Igreja_de_São_Pedro_da_Gafanhoeira_-_Portugal_(21988890009).jpg?uselang=pt

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