Church of Saint Joseph of the Holy Spirit Hospital

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Faro > Tavira > Tavira > Santa Maria e Santiago

Location

Located in the city of Tavira, the Church of São José do Hospital do Espírito Santo occupies a spot in Praça Zacarias Guerreiro, in the area of Santa Maria and Santiago. Its position in one of the city's squares invites exploration and allows visitors to appreciate Tavira's characteristic urban surroundings.

Historical Context

With roots extending back to the 15th century, the Church of São José do Hospital do Espírito Santo boasts a history intertwined with that of the former Royal Hospital of Espírito Santo. The original building underwent a significant reconstruction in the mid-18th century, specifically in 1752, under the responsibility of Diogo Tavares de Ataíde. Its construction, like much of the region, suffered the impacts of the 1755 earthquake, which led to a prolonged period of works until 1768, shaping its current appearance.

Artistic Details

The church's architecture is distinguished by its Baroque style and its unusual octagonal nave, with sides of different dimensions, a typology uncommon in the Algarve context. Inside, one can observe a chapel remaining from the late-medieval period, whose ribbed vault displays the coats of arms of noble families, such as the Melo and Costa. Its altarpieces deserve particular attention: the main altarpiece surprises with a trompe l'oeil painting, which creates an illusion of depth. In addition to this, the church houses three more altarpieces, two of them of Rococo aesthetic and the others of Neoclassical character. In these side altars, there are images of Saint Teresa and Our Lady of Carmo, originating from what was the Convent of Carmo in Tavira.

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