Parochial Church of Alcáçova

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Bairro Rui de Mello

Location

Located in Elvas, in the area known as Bairro Rui de Mello, the Parish Church of Alcáçova stands in the zone that historically corresponded to the old civil parish of Alcáçova. Its position in the city offers a perspective on the Alentejo urban fabric, inviting exploration of the surroundings and recognition of the rich local historical heritage.

Deep Origins

The Parish Church of Alcáçova, built in 1230, rests on foundations that bear witness to an even more remote past. It was constructed on the site of Elvas's main mosque, an Islamic temple dating back to the 8th century. After the city's conquest by D. Sancho II, the mosque was converted, and traces of its presence gradually became hidden over the centuries. Nevertheless, the visible protrusion on the exterior of the church's right side is notable, marking the location of the old mirhab, the prayer niche oriented towards Mecca, which was likely walled up in the 16th century.

Architectural Evolution

The church, which was initially under royal patronage and was later donated to the Order of Aviz by D. Dinis in 1303, underwent significant modifications throughout the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These interventions were crucial in giving it the physiognomy we observe today. Its simple façade is adorned at the top with a representation of a Pietà. Inside, the space unfolds into three naves, characterized by their vaults.

Artistic Details

Exploring the temple's interior reveals a stark chancel, home to a stone image of a Pietà, dating from the 15th century. The two side chapels present distinct features: one, built of masonry in the 18th century, houses an image of Our Lady; the other, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, stands out for the richness of its gilded carving, a notable example of 17th-century art. It is also worth noting that the left-hand side chapel was entirely covered with gilded carving, executed in the second half of the 17th century, in contrast to its counterpart on the opposite side, which retains its masonry structure.

Memories in the Ground

The experience of visiting this church is enriched by the presence of various marble funerary slabs, some of them embedded in the pavement, bearing witness to the passage of important figures throughout the centuries. Examples like the tombs of Aires Gomes and Ana Fernandes, or of Catarina Álvares, wife of João Rodrigues Mercador, offer a direct link to the people who inhabited Elvas. Prominently featured is the tomb of Pedro de Bastos, an artillery colonel and Knight of the Order of Christ, and his wife, Dona Margarida Alberta de Sousa, whose family vault dates from 1715, inviting reflection on the history and lineages that shaped the city.

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