Church of Saint Mary of Grace

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Santarém > Santarém > Alfange

Location

Situated in the historic heart of Santarém, in the Alfange area, the Church of Santa Maria da Graça stands in Largo Pedro Álvares Cabral. This square, with its traditional two and three-story houses, harmoniously frames the church, integrating it naturally into the city's urban landscape.

A Gothic and Historic Legacy

Also known as the Church of Graça or Santo Agostinho, this temple is one of the most significant examples of Gothic architecture in Portugal, classified as a National Monument since 1910. Its construction began in 1380, initiated by the Augustinian friars of Lisbon, with the important patronage of the first Counts of Ourém, D. João Afonso Telo de Meneses and D.ª Guiomar de Vilalobos. Although the works were only completed in the second quarter of the 15th century, the church has witnessed centuries of history, undergoing various interventions and a 20th-century restoration that sought to emphasize its original Gothic lines.

The Architectural Expression of Gothic

The Church of Santa Maria da Graça reveals an interesting fusion of Gothic styles. Its tripartite apse, transept, and naves exhibit characteristics of mendicant Gothic, a style with a strong tradition in the city of Santarém. In contrast, the main facade stands out for its Flamboyant Gothic, with an imposing portal composed of five broken arches, adorned with capitals featuring vegetal motifs. A carved stonework panel surrounds the portico, where the founder's shield is highlighted, and above, an enormous rose window, carved from a single stone, dominates the entire facade, lending it a unique beauty.

Inside, the space is distributed across three wide naves, separated by twelve columns with capitals displaying phytomorphic and anthropomorphic details, from which ogival arches rise. The main chapel and the absidioles are covered by ribbed vaults, with the founders' coat of arms on one of the bosses, emphasizing the grandeur of the architectural ensemble.

Pantheon of Illustrious Figures

The interior of the church houses a remarkable collection of mausoleums and emblazoned tomb slabs, highlighting its role as a resting place for the nobility and prominent figures of Santarém. Among these, the impressive tomb of D. Pedro de Meneses, grandson of the founders and governor of Ceuta, and his wife, D.ª Beatriz Coutinho, stands out. This large limestone chest rests on eight lions, and its lid displays the recumbent figures of the couple, holding hands, protected by richly detailed canopies with angels and floral motifs.

One of the most interesting points for visitors is the burial place of Pedro Álvares Cabral. The simple rectangular slab, engraved with Gothic characters, marks the resting place of the Portuguese navigator who discovered Brazil, giving the temple historical and symbolic value of international scope.

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