Mortuary attached to the Parish Church of Alvor

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Faro > Portimão > Alvor > Vila da Praia

Location

Located in the charming Vila da Praia, in Alvor, this marabout is integrated into the side of the Parish Church, forming part of its structure. Its position in the historic centre of the locality provides a genuine urban setting, just a few steps from Alvor's riverside area, where the Ribeira de Farelo meets the Ria, connecting the history of the construction to the region's fluvial landscape.

A Legacy of Cultural Crossroads

The Marabout annexed to Alvor Parish Church represents a fascinating testament to the Islamic presence and influence in the region. Conjecturally built between the 11th and 12th centuries, during the Almoravid period, this building originally served as a marabout, a small temple or hermitage, often associated with places of worship or burial sites of religious figures. It is one of the rare examples of Islamic marabouts that still persist in Portugal, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.

Architectural Features and Transformation

With a simple, square plan, the marabout stands out for its dome roof, crowned by a small lantern. Its facades, once plastered and whitewashed, feature ashlar cornerstones. Decorative elements from the Manueline period (16th century), such as the faceted moldings on the east elevation's door and the unique relief balusters on the right jamb, suggest a probable reconstruction or intervention during that period, which would have adapted the building to new architectural sensibilities. Currently, this ancient marabout has been Christianized and functions as one of the side chapels of the Mother Church, a remarkable fusion of histories and architectural styles.

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