Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Portalegre > Crato > Crato > Bairro de Pêro Filho
Situated in the heart of the Pêro Filho Neighborhood, in the town of Crato, this parish church occupies a central and prominent position in the urban landscape. Access is made via Rua de Santa Maria, leading to a small churchyard. For visitors, the church rises imposingly, reached by a two-flight staircase that opens onto a cobbled street, typical of the locality.
Its location on flat ground allows the church's silhouette to stand out in the town's environment, serving as a visual reference point for visitors traversing the streets of Crato.
The foundation of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição dates back to the mid-13th century, by initiative of the Order of the Hospital, later known as the Order of Malta. Over the centuries, the building underwent several interventions that shaped its current appearance.
In particular, the 16th century was a period of significant transformations. During the reigns of D. João II and D. João III, alterations and additions were made to the exterior structure, namely in the chancel, side chapels, sacristy, and bell tower. The date 1573, visible on the nave arches, marks one of these renovation phases. In the 17th century, under the influence of Baroque sensibility, the interior was enriched, reflecting the artistic and cultural evolution of the era. Its continuity as a parish church underscores its uninterrupted importance to the local community.
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is a testament to the superposition of styles throughout its history, featuring Gothic, Mannerist, and Baroque elements. Its longitudinal plan comprises the church body, a quadrangular chancel, the sacristy, and an imposing bell tower, whose volumes articulate harmoniously.
The main façade, a single panel, is punctuated by an architraved portal with an interrupted pediment, where a small niche is inserted. Above, a rectangular window and an oval oculus add visual interest. The bell tower, which projects slightly from the façade, is a prominent element, topped by a sharp faceted spire. Inside, the space is divided into three naves with five bays, defined by perfect archways resting on faceted columns, supporting a barrel vaulted ceiling. The chancel, of two bays, stands out for its triumphal arch and a coffered vault, culminating in a carved altarpiece with archivolts and Solomonic columns, reflecting Baroque opulence.
The artistic collection of the church is remarkable, with pieces spanning several centuries. Particular attention should be given to a 15th-century Pietà and a 13th-century stone image of Saint Bartholomew. These older elements tell a part of the church's long trajectory.
One of the most distinctive elements is the presence of 16th-century Hispano-Moorish tiles, found on some nave benches and which, in times past, embellished the courtyard adjacent to the sacristy. Subsequently, the chancel walls were covered with 18th-century blue and white tiles, illustrating scenes from the life of Our Lady, while other parts of the nave feature more profane motifs. The notable organ, created in the late 18th century by Pascoal Caetano Oldovini, is a piece of artistic and historical value. The main altar features an unusual tabernacle, shaped in the chest of an eagle, with a bas-relief on its front. The side chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Piety, display gilded carved altarpieces, and on their walls and ceilings, although faintly, the original Gothic ribs are still visible, dialoguing with vegetal symbols and Baroque paintings. Various Baroque images, such as the Holy Trinity and Our Lady of Conception with the Child, complement this rich and diverse collection.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.284237,-7.6445993
Coordinates DMS: 39°17'3.3"N 07°38'40.6"W
Weather Crato
On-duty Pharmacy Crato
