Church of the Mercy of Pederneira

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Nazaré > Pederneira

Location

Located in the village of Pederneira, one of Nazaré's historic centers, the Church of Misericórdia stands at the top of Largo da Misericórdia. Its elevated position offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, including the fishing village and Sítio da Nazaré, providing visitors with a unique perspective of the region.

Historical Memory and Legacy

The roots of this temple delve into the 16th century, with the creation of the Brotherhood of Misericórdia of Pederneira, a charity institution whose main responsibility was the management of Pederneira Hospital. Although the exact date of the current construction is debated, tradition points to the first quarter of the 18th century, presuming the church was built upon the vestiges of an older structure. Classified as a Monument of Public Interest, this site is a testament to the region's history and social action.

Architecture and Exterior Aspect

The church features an imposing facade, typical of late classical baroque, with mannerist elements that distinguish it. At the center of the facade, a main portal stands out, topped by a niche displaying the date 1721, indicating a significant renovation during that period. The curvilinear pediment, adorned with the national coat of arms and an oval oculus, confers an air of grandeur to the building, inviting contemplation of its stonework details.

Art and Devotion in the Interior

Upon entering the church, visitors are met with a single nave, covered by a false wooden segmental arch vault, which creates a sense of spaciousness. The main altar, richly crafted in baroque gilded carving, is the focal point, housing a beautiful image of the Lord of the Passion, an object of great popular devotion and the center of an annual procession. Beneath this image, a glass-encased altar holds a representation of the dead Christ. The side altars, also in gilded carving and flanked by fluted columns, house the images of the Lord of the Green Cane and Our Lady of Solitude.

Other notable elements in the interior include the pulpit, captivating with the beauty of its gilded carving canopy, and a 17th-century polychrome tile panel above the entrance door, depicting the Virgin of Misericórdia. The Brotherhood's tribune, with its marble Ionic columns, completes the sacred art collection, emphasizing the historical and cultural richness of the space.

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