Church of Santiago

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Faro > Castro Marim > Castro Marim > Urbanização Quinta da Cerca

Location

The Church of Santiago is located in Castro Marim, an area of great historical relevance. It is situated within the ancient walls of the Old Castle, a position that underlines its importance in the context of the medieval village. This location offers a perspective on the evolution of settlement and the strategic relevance of the fortress throughout the centuries.

A Past of Great Importance

Built in the 14th century, the Church of Santiago played a central role in the life of Castro Marim, being recognized as the primitive mother church of the village. Already in 1320, its parish covered the entire municipality, demonstrating its great religious and administrative influence in the region.

This site was, for a period, the headquarters of the Convent of the Knights of the Order of Christ, conferring upon it an even higher status. Later, in 1504, the space was adapted and transformed into a military barracks, a testament to the changes in function that this important building underwent throughout history.

Architectural Memories

Historical documents, known as "Visitations," offer a detailed image of the church between the 15th and 16th centuries. Initially, the structure had a single nave, which later expanded to three, with stone arches and columns featuring ornamented capitals.

The churchyard, on the north side, was considered at one point to be a cemetery, due to the narrow streets of the village that ran along the other fronts. The south facade had a main door with stepped access, topped by a bell tower that housed two bells and a stone engraved with the sword of the Order of Christ, symbolizing its connection to the chivalry.

The earthquake of 1755 drastically altered the appearance of the church, leaving only one of its walls standing. This event marked the end of its function as a mother church, which was transferred to another temple outside the walls.

What is Seen Today

Currently, the Church of Santiago presents itself as a remarkable vestige of its grand history. It is possible to observe the entrance portal, adorned with a sculpted Cross of Santiago, as well as the remnants of the chancel, which once had a vaulted ceiling and today features a quadrangular window.

The surviving elements invite contemplation of its past and imagination of the imposing presence this building once had in the heart of Castro Marim Castle, serving as a silent link to the memory of the village and the Order of Christ.

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