Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Santarém > Santarém > Vaqueiros
In the heart of the quiet town of Vaqueiros, in the municipality of Santarém, stands the Main Church, a discreet yet remarkable landmark. Its presence, set in a rural landscape, invites serenity and observation of local daily life, offering an authentic glimpse into life in the region.
The Main Church of Vaqueiros, also known as the Parish Church or the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle, dates back to the mid-16th century, with its construction beginning shortly after 1565. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the temple underwent successive construction campaigns that gave it its current configuration, marked by predominantly Mannerist and Baroque architecture. Its sober lines, a result of these secular interventions, are a testament to the stylistic evolution of religious heritage in the region.
Inside the church, the visitor's gaze is naturally drawn to the artistic elements that enrich its spaces. Two chapels stand out, one dedicated to the Confraternity of Our Lady of the Rosary and the other to the Confraternity of Souls. In the latter, one can admire an altarpiece whose panel was restored and gilded in the early 18th century, a work attributed to the painter Francisco Fortunato.
The main chapel, in turn, displays a 16th-century altarpiece, enhanced by two paintings depicting Saint Anne and Saint Joseph. An altar dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, adorned with 18th-century paintings, completes the collection of artworks that beautify this place of worship and reflection.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.4110185,-8.6525991
Coordinates DMS: 39°24'39.7"N 08°39'9.4"W
Weather Vaqueiros
On-duty Pharmacy Vaqueiros
