Church of Our Lady of the Snows

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Portalegre > Alter do Chão > Alter Pedroso

Location

The Church of Nossa Senhora das Neves is located in the Alentejo village of Alter Pedroso, part of the municipality of Alter do Chão. Its placement is particularly interesting, as it rises at the top of a hill, built upon a natural rock outcrop. This position gives it a notable presence in the landscape, and upon arrival, one encounters an elevated churchyard that emphasizes its dominant location in the small settlement.

Origin and Transformations

The church's original construction dates back to the 15th century, marking its foundation. However, the building visited today is the result of significant transformations and building campaigns that occurred in the following centuries. In the 17th century and again in the 18th century, the church underwent renovations that introduced new aesthetic elements, particularly in its interior, reflecting the artistic styles of the time.

Exterior and Bell Tower

Viewed from the outside, the church features a main facade with relatively simple lines, with a portal topped by a perfect arch surmounted by a rectangular window. A distinctive element is the robust attached bell tower, notable for its somewhat unusual proportions and the way it integrates with the structure built upon the rock. Some exterior details, such as the quoins of the tower, are highlighted with yellow color.

Interior and Artistic Elements

Upon entering, the interior reveals a single nave under a coffered ceiling decorated with painted panels, where cherubs and angels can be observed. The focal point is the notable main altarpiece in the main chapel, dating from the 17th century, a piece rich in gilded and polychrome carving. This altarpiece is profusely decorated with vegetal elements and symbolic figures, including black Solomonic columns. Flanking the triumphal arch are two 18th-century side altarpieces, in the Rococo style, characterized by white stucco and gilded details, such as vegetal elements and acanthus leaves. The space also features a large marble baptismal font, a pulpit resting on a stone corbel, and a side chapel with a painting representing Saint Michael Archangel weighing souls.

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