Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Évora > Viana do Alentejo > Viana do Alentejo
The Mother Church is located inside the castle of Viana do Alentejo, taking advantage of the natural elevation of the terrain to integrate into the old walled enclosure. The surroundings are characterized by narrow streets and whitewashed houses, highlighting the contrast between the robustness of the granite walls and the white of the popular buildings.
From the churchyard in front of the portal, part of the old town can be seen, with remnants of towers and battlements in the background, offering an urban setting steeped in history.
Commissioned in the early 16th century, the church was planned by Diogo de Arruda and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation. Since 1910, it has held the status of National Monument, a recognition that highlights its relevance in the Southern Manueline architectural panorama.
Over the centuries, it underwent restorations that preserved its original design, notably the intervention in 1943, when the roofs were reinforced and the stonework, worn by time, was repaired.
The exterior stands out for its marble portal, adorned with pastoral and animal motifs, framed by archivolts of sinuous lines. At the corners, conical pinnacles stand out, alluding to Mudejar taste, giving a unique design to the edges.
Inside, the hall-church plan is distributed into three naves separated by hexagonal pillars. The coffered ogives of the ceiling create a play of light and shadow that emphasizes the elegance of the space.
Two 16th-century stained glass windows adorn the side windows. One depicts Saint Peter, with green robes and a ruby cloak, and the other Saint John the Baptist, in a very similar composition. The grisaille and “jaune d’argent” technique on a white background reveals the hand of contemporary masters, possibly from Francisco Henriques’ workshop.
These panels came from a single stained glass window dismantled during the last restoration, having been complemented in Lisbon to form the two distinct figures seen today.
The main façade invites a careful stop to observe the Manueline carving of the portal and the small slit windows that let in the setting sun. Inside, it is worth noting the capitals of the pillars, where fleurs-de-lis and geometric motifs appear.
The silence that pervades the interior space contrasts with the walled exterior, creating an atmosphere conducive to reflection on the architectural and religious heritage of the region.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_Matriz_de_Viana_do_Alentejo
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.33214157668839,-8.001858132161455
Coordinates DMS: 38°19'55.7"N 08°00'6.7"W
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