Church of Saint Mary of Charity

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Sardoal > Sardoal > Sardoal

Location

The Church of Santa Maria da Caridade is located in the village of Sardoal, in the area known as Largo do Convento. Built on an elevated point, its position offers a wide perspective over the village itself and the surrounding landscape.

Origin and Architectural Evolution

The history of this church dates back to 1571, the year its construction was initiated by the Franciscan monks of the Province of Soledade. Later, in 1676, the building underwent significant enlargement and reconstruction, driven by D. Gaspar Barata de Mendonça, who would become the first Archbishop of Bahia and Primate of Brazil.

Architecturally, the church stands out for its single nave, covered by a whitewashed vault. Outside, in the narthex area, elements such as a niche with a stone sculpture of Saint Peter, dating from the 16th century, flanked by Renaissance-influenced medallions, can be observed.

Artistic Treasures

The interior of the Church of Santa Maria da Caridade houses a collection of sacred art pieces of great interest. In the main chapel, the 17th-century carved altarpiece draws attention. On the vaulted ceiling, a painting displays the coat of arms of D. Gaspar Barata de Mendonça, with the arms of his illustrious lineages. It is also in this chapel that D. Gaspar's remains rest, in a mausoleum set upon three lions, topped by the family crest.

On the collateral altar on the Epistle side, there is a reliquary altarpiece adorned with three 17th-century canvas paintings, depicting Saint Clare, Saint Elizabeth, and the Apparition of the Virgin to Saint Francis. On this same altar, there is a piece of particular significance: the original image of Nossa Senhora da Caridade (Our Lady of Charity), sculpted in stone, estimated to be from the 14th century, bearing witness to the ancient devotion to this place.

On the Gospel side, the collateral altar is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Esperança (Our Lady of Hope), with her image flanked by Saint Peter and Saint Paul. This altar once housed a Namban Art Oratory, a rare piece of lacquered wood, with gold, silver, and copper details, mother-of-pearl inlays, and oil paintings on copper. This valuable work, of Indo-Portuguese origin, is currently kept elsewhere for security reasons. The Sacristy, in turn, displays a painted coffered ceiling, dated 1720, and contains several 16th and 17th-century panel paintings, as well as an 18th-century Portuguese faience washbasin.

Finally, in the Narthex, to the right of the entrance, is the Chapel of Senhor dos Remédios (Lord of Remedies). This chapel stands out for its 18th-century blue and white tile covering, which features ornamental figures and panels alluding to the Stations of the Cross. The church also houses a notable collection of 17th and 18th-century canvases, of varied dimensions, and a collection of crucified Christs, including a 17th-century ivory piece.

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