Church of Saint Augustine

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Leiria > Leiria > Bairro dos Anjos

Location

Saint Augustine's Church is nestled within the urban fabric of Leiria, more precisely in the area known as Bairro dos Anjos (Angels' Neighborhood). It is located near the left bank of the Lis River, at a point in the city where history intertwines with daily life. Its prominent presence on Rua Tenente Valadim and Largo da Infantaria Sete grants it natural visibility in the center of Leiria.

A Historical Perspective

Built from 1577 onwards on the initiative of Bishop D. Gaspar do Casal, Saint Augustine's Church is an integral part of a vast conventual complex. Over the centuries, the building has witnessed various transformations, reflecting important periods in the history of Leiria and Portugal. After serving as a home for the Order of Saint Augustine, the extinction of religious orders in the 19th century led to its adaptation as a military barracks. Later, in the 20th century, the complex returned to the sphere of the Diocese of Leiria, reopening for worship after a restoration process that extended until the mid-1950s. Its importance has been recognized by its classification as a Property of Public Interest since 1982.

The Language of Stone

The architecture of Saint Augustine's Church presents a fusion of styles, with its original design showing Mannerist influences, although renovations carried out in the second half of the 18th century gave it the essentially Baroque appearance observed today. The main facade, with its three distinct bodies and flanked by two imposing bell towers, draws attention. Above the main door, it is possible to identify the coat of arms of the founding bishop, a detail that harks back to the origins of the construction.

Inside, the church reveals a Latin cross plan, with a single nave and a lunette vault. Of note are the three intercommunicating side chapels that enrich the space. The altarpiece of the chancel, designed in the early 20th century by architect Ernesto Korrodi, is a significant artistic element. On the side walls of the main altar, there are the sepulchral slabs of Bishops D. Frei Gaspar do Casal and D. Frei António de Santa Maria, crucial figures in the church's history. The transept altars, some dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, are examples of the stone artistry that characterizes the space, also housing 18th-century sculpted images that enrich the atmosphere of the place.

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