Figueira e Barros Main Church or São Brás Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Portalegre > Avis > Figueira e Barros > Machado dos Santos

Location

Nestled in the tranquility of Figueira e Barros, a locality belonging to the municipality of Avis, this church is situated in the area known as Machado dos Santos. Its presence marks a central point in the life of the village, integrating into its urban fabric and serving as a reference for the local community.

History and Architecture

The current Figueira e Barros Mother Church, also known as the Church of São Brás, is an 18th-century construction. However, the religious history of the site is much older. Already in the early 16th century, in 1519, there were references to a temple, though without active worship during that period. Shortly after, in 1538, documents indicate the existence of a chaplaincy linked to the powerful Order of Avis, evidencing the profound historical relationship of the locality with this military order. The building observable today reflects the 18th-century religious architecture, which came to consolidate the space as the center of spiritual life in Figueira e Barros.

The Community Role

Since its construction in the 18th century, the Church of São Brás has maintained its function as a parish church, serving as a place of gathering and celebration for the inhabitants of Figueira e Barros. It is a building that continues to play an active role in community life, hosting traditions and important moments. Its existence is a testament to the history of the village, which was once a town under the purview of the Order of Avis, before the extinction of its municipality in the 19th century.

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