Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Lisboa > Mafra > Livramento > Azueira e Sobral da Abelheira
Situated in the tranquility of Livramento, in the union of the parishes of Azueira and Sobral da Abelheira, in the municipality of Mafra, the Church of São Pedro dos Grilhões is located in a predominantly rural environment. The temple, prominent in the landscape, is surrounded by a walled churchyard that houses a 17th-century stone cross (cruzeiro), inviting a moment of pause. To the west, the view extends over cultivated fields, while to the north and east the building abuts the local cemetery, at the end of the peaceful Rua de São Pedro.
Built in the 17th and 18th centuries, with significant reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake, the Church of São Pedro dos Grilhões is part of the group of Mafra region temples, characterized by an exterior sobriety. Its main facade, of Mannerist inspiration, is divided into three sections by ashlar pilasters. In the central panel, the portal stands out, surmounted by a pediment with the representation of the papal tiara, symbol of the patron saint. Above, an ornate window and an oculus give rhythm to the composition. The church, originally designed with two bell towers, has only one, notable for its bulbous dome and pinnacles, presumably added after the great earthquake that struck the country.
Upon entering the church, visitors encounter a single, spacious nave, where natural light diffuses softly through the side windows and the oculus in the choir loft. The walls, plastered and painted white, along with the clergyman's cap vault ceiling, create a simple and welcoming atmosphere. The choir loft, resting on a wooden balustrade and an arcade with elegant stone columns, is an element of particular beauty. The stone pulpit, with its decorated bulging guard, also deserves attention. In the chancel, once richly ornamented, one can admire the altar frontal, covered with 17th-century polychrome tiles, and the main altarpiece, in gilded carving, which featured a tribune and an exposition throne. It is important to note that, currently, the temple is vacant and religious worship has been transferred to the Church of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, meaning that many of the sacred art pieces, such as images and the historic organ, are no longer in their original location.
The history of the Church of São Pedro dos Grilhões is rich and dates back at least to 1566, when it was already active as a parish. On the nave's pavement, on the Gospel side, there is an emphasis on the blazoned tombstone of Charles Henriques, a nobleman of King D. João III's household and chamberlain to Infante D. Fernando, who died in 1577, a testament to its antiquity and relevance. Historical records indicate that the building suffered considerable damage from the 1755 earthquake, leading to a reconstruction campaign that shaped its current appearance. Some of the most significant pieces of its heritage, such as a historic organ by António Xavier Machado Cerveira (1787) and a 16th-century image of Saint Peter, have, over time, been transferred to the Church of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, where they can be appreciated today. Recognizing its historical and architectural value, the Church of São Pedro dos Grilhões was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1993.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.0098413,-9.2840099
Coordinates DMS: 39°00'35.4"N 09°17'2.4"W
Weather Livramento
On-duty Pharmacy Livramento
