Alcorochel Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Torres Novas > Alcorochel > Brogueira, Parceiros de Igreja e Alcorochel

Location

The Church of Alcorochel stands in a somewhat isolated position relative to the village of Alcorochel, in the municipality of Torres Novas. It is located on a hillside, overlooking a walled churchyard that borders it to the north with the cemetery and to the south with the village houses. The steep inclination of the terrain on this southern slope is overcome by an access stairway that leads to the temple. In front of the church's main facade, there is a square where a cruzeiro (stone cross) is located, a symbolic element that enriches the local environment.

Memory and History

The origins of the Church of Alcorochel probably date back to the 17th century, although its existence as a parish is already confirmed in 1676. However, it was in 1769 that the temple underwent a significant restoration, a period of profound intervention that shaped much of its current appearance. During this restoration, the chancel and its triumphal arch were rebuilt, and new altar pieces were installed, as well as the tiles that now adorn its interior. A local legend tells that the church was erected on the site where an image of Our Lady of Purification repeatedly appeared on a kermes oak, always returning to that spot even when transported to the village, leading to the decision to build the temple there.

Architectural Features

This parish church features a longitudinal plan, with the nave and chancel juxtaposed, and stepped volumes. The main facade, facing east, stands out with an upper window ornamented in a Rococo decorative style, enriched with carved volutes. To the left of the facade, the bell tower rises, a robust structure with four round-arched windows, topped by pinnacles and a prismatic spire. To the south, a galilee, preceded by rounded arches, lends a distinctive element to the exterior of the building.

Interior Environment and Artistic Elements

Upon entering the church, the visitor finds a nave covered by a five-paneled wooden ceiling, preceded by a high choir resting on marble-effect wooden columns. On the Gospel side, the baptismal chapel houses a remarkable Manueline baptismal font. The pulpit, with its baluster railing, is also on this side. Adjacent to the triumphal arch, which bears the inscription “Honorificentia Populi Nostri 1769”, two side chapels display carved stone altarpieces, with niches housing images. The walls near the triumphal arch are adorned with recent tiles depicting a rosary and a Marian allegory. Higher up, two niches house polychrome stone sculptures from the late 15th century, representing Saint Vincent and Saint Sebastian, with the image of Saint Vincent still retaining traces of its original polychromy and a characteristic Gothic "M" at its base. The chancel, narrower and less deep than the nave, is covered by a barrel vault and displays side tile panels depicting scenes from the life of Christ, painted in blue with polychrome Rococo ornamentation borders. On the high altar, a carved stone altarpiece, in a late-Baroque style, completes the ensemble.

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