Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Santarém > Tomar > Carregueiros > Fonte São Miguel
The Mother Church of Carregueiros, locally known as Igreja de São Miguel (Church of Saint Michael), is nestled in the tranquil locality of Carregueiros, in the municipality of Tomar. More specifically, it is situated in the Fonte São Miguel area, an environment that invites calm and the discovery of local heritage. Its presence in the urban development reflects the church's integration into the daily life of the community, providing a peaceful and genuine visiting experience, far from the hustle and bustle of larger urban centers.
This parish temple has its roots in the 16th century, the period when its construction began. Over the following centuries, the church was enriched with various artistic and decorative elements, testifying to the evolution of its importance to the community. Its architectural layout, with a main nave, chancel, and sacristy, is an example of the religious architecture of the time, which adapted and flourished with the passage of time.
The interior of the Mother Church of Carregueiros reveals a remarkable richness of detail. The nave is covered by a wooden ceiling divided into three planes, which contributes to the welcoming atmosphere of the space. In the high choir, one can observe the support columns that enhance its structure. The church houses several lateral and collateral altars, as well as niches displaying statuary. Particularly noteworthy are the holy water fonts, one in the nave with carved elements and another in the sacristy. In the latter, there is also a cabinet with an altarpiece that retains traces of painting, including a panel with a cushioned cross, a shield with the quinas (Portuguese coat of arms), and a book, elements that tell part of the local history and symbolism.
One of the most striking and distinctive elements of the church's interior are its tiles, which cover various surfaces and date back to the 17th century. The niches are bordered by "cuerda seca" tiles, a manufacturing technique that results in patterns of great beauty. The nave features a wainscoting with checkerboard pattern tiles, in shades of green and white, which run along the walls. In the chancel, the wainscoting displays a blue and white checkerboard design, complemented by blue and yellow pattern tiles, creating a visual harmony that reflects the decorative aesthetics of the era in which they were applied.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.6304956,-8.4472193
Coordinates DMS: 39°37'49.8"N 08°26'50.0"W
Weather Carregueiros
On-duty Pharmacy Carregueiros
