Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Santarém > Coruche > Couço > Santa Justa
Located in the tranquil area of Santa Justa, in the locality of Couço, municipality of Coruche, the Church of Santa Justa is in a privileged position. It stands on the right bank of the Sorraia river, near the point where the Raia and Sor streams converge to form the Sorraia itself. This location grants it a wide and unobstructed visual dominance over the entire surrounding valley, integrating it harmoniously into the Ribatejo landscape.
The temple that can be seen today is a notable example of rural religious architecture in Alentejo. Its construction reflects the typical characteristics of the region, with a simplicity that emphasizes its integration into the environment. One of the elements that deserves attention is its annexed baptistery, unique for its dome-shaped roof. This building, with its current design, is considered the probable successor of an older religious construction that existed on the same site.
The history of the Church of Santa Justa delves into even deeper roots, with evidence suggesting the presence of a pagan sanctuary on the site before the Christian edifice. This fascinating possibility is supported by the discovery of a votive arula, a small altar made of Estremoz/Vila Viçosa marble, believed to have been dedicated to Carneu Calanticense, an ancestral indigenous deity. In addition to this inscription, other vestiges have been identified, such as fragments of a wall on the north facade and a piece of marble with a molding, which contribute to the historical and archaeological mosaic of this site.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.9994724,-8.2940648
Coordinates DMS: 38°59'58.1"N 08°17'38.6"W
Weather Couço
On-duty Pharmacy Couço
