Church of Saint Mary

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Óbidos > Pinhal > Centro Histórico

Location

The Church of Santa Maria is located in the heart of the Historic Centre of Óbidos, in Praça de Santa Maria. This square is a central point of the town, positioned at the end of Rua Direita, the main thoroughfare of Óbidos. Its privileged location makes it an unmissable landmark for anyone exploring the town, offering a serene and historic setting.

Historical and Royal Legacy

The history of the Church of Santa Maria in Óbidos is as deep as the roots of the town itself. Tradition traces its origin to the Visigothic period, with the site having been converted into a mosque during the Muslim presence. After the reconquest of Óbidos by D. Afonso Henriques in 1148, the temple was once again dedicated to Christian worship and to Saint Mary.

From the 13th century onwards, and for centuries, the town was part of the "Casa das Rainhas" (House of the Queens), which brought significant support and embellishment to the church from the Crown. The building seen today was largely rebuilt in the 16th century at the behest of Queen Leonor, and underwent significant renovations under the supervision of Queen Catherine of Austria. It holds the memory of the royal wedding of 1441, when the future King Afonso V, still a child, married his cousin Isabel at this very location.

Artistic and Architectural Treasures

The interior of the Church of Santa Maria reveals an artistic richness accumulated over the centuries. The walls are extensively decorated with panels of 17th-century azulejo tiles, in shades of blue and white, which harmonise with the elaborate painted wooden ceiling, also from the 17th century. One of the highlights is the Renaissance tomb of D. João de Noronha, a remarkable work of sculpture attributed to Nicolau Chanterenne and classified as a National Monument.

The church also houses important paintings, including canvases by the famous Josefa de Óbidos (17th century), known for her art that blends the profane and the sacred, and by her father, Baltazar Gomes Figueira. In the high choir, there is a beautiful 17th-century pipe organ.