Church of the Divine Holy Spirit

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Caldas da Rainha > Landal > Quinta do Freixo

Location

The Church of the Divine Holy Spirit is located in Landal, a tranquil village in the municipality of Caldas da Rainha. Integrated into the Quinta do Freixo urbanization, this church is harmoniously situated in a spacious paved and tree-lined square, offering a serene and traditional environment.

A Historical Legacy

Built in the 18th century, the Church of the Divine Holy Spirit was, for centuries, a central point of reference for the Landal community. Notable for its past, it functioned as a vicarage linked to the Order of Malta, under the presentation of the Bailiff of Leça, underscoring its ancient importance and regional influence. Until 1895, Landal and its church belonged to the municipality of Óbidos, which reveals part of its administrative and historical trajectory.

This temple also played a fundamental role in preserving a centuries-old tradition: the Procession of the Lord of the Steps, which was a highly devoted identity and cultural event in the region. The church housed the venerated images of the Lord of the Steps and Our Lady of Sorrows, serving as the starting and ending point for this manifestation of faith. Although the procession has lost its regularity and the church has faced periods of closure for conservation over time, it maintains its historical memory as an important place of worship and tradition.

Architectural Details

The church exhibits 18th-century religious architecture, with a simple longitudinal plan, comprising a single nave, chancel, and side chapels. Its main facade, facing west, features a landing with an access staircase and a segmental arch doorway, crowned by a prominent cornice and a relief plaque with the distinctive Maltese cross.

The quadrangular bell tower adjoins the south side of the church, distinguished by its belfry on the second floor and the four finials that adorn the corners of the plan, where a faceted dome rests, topped by a weathervane with a cross. Inside, visitors can observe a tile floor, a wooden ceiling arranged in three planes, and a choir loft with a balustrade. The five side chapels have round arches, and the walls feature half-height tile wainscoting, complemented by marbled areas, which contribute to the aesthetic of the space. Throughout the 20th century, the temple underwent restoration interventions, which included the placement of new tiles and general paintings.

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