Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Lisboa > Sintra > Sintra > Quinta do Castanheiro
In the locality of Sintra, in the Quinta do Castanheiro area, stands the Parish Church of São Pedro de Penaferrim. Situated on the eastern foothills of the mountain range, this church offers a calmer environment, integrated into the natural and urban landscape of the locality, contributing to Sintra's historical and cultural atmosphere.
The origins of the Parish Church of São Pedro de Penaferrim date back to the medieval period, with its probable emergence in the 14th century. This temple plays a significant historical role, having welcomed the parish seat that once belonged to an older church, located near the Castle of the Moors. The transfer of this function marked a new chapter for the community of Sintra, and the first documentary records referring to this church date back to the early 15th century.
The church's current appearance is the result of successive interventions over the centuries that shaped its structure and aesthetics. One of the most significant occurred in 1565, under the patronage of D. Álvaro de Castro, who promoted the expansion and renovation of the space. Later, in the 18th century, the church underwent a new campaign of works, sponsored by D. Tomás de Almeida, the first Patriarch of Lisbon, who bestowed upon it its striking Baroque-style facade and bell tower.
Inside the church, one of the most distinctive elements is the set of tile panels that adorn the nave walls. Produced in the first half of the 18th century, possibly in Valentim de Almeida's workshop, these blue and white tiles illustrate various passages from the life of Saint Peter, the temple's patron. The quality of the composition and the expressiveness of the figures contribute to the unique atmosphere of the space, with the representation of the "Miraculous Catch", inspired by a work by Raphael, being of particular interest.
In addition to the remarkable tilework, the Church of São Pedro de Penaferrim holds other artistic details that deserve close attention. The nave vault, with its decorative elements including the Castro family coat of arms, testifies to Manueline influence. Also noteworthy is the presence of a Gothic sculpture of Saint Peter, dated to the 15th century and carved in Ançã stone. This work of art, which arrived at the church from an old Romanesque chapel of the castle, invites a careful observation of the evolution of religious art in Sintra.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.7916512,-9.3809675
Coordinates DMS: 38°47'29.9"N 09°22'51.5"W
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On-duty Pharmacy Sintra
