Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Santarém > Alcanena > Monsanto > Centro
The Parish Church of Monsanto, also known as the Church of the Holy Spirit, is located in the center of the village of Monsanto. It is situated in a welcoming churchyard, built on an artificial platform that compensates for the terrain's slope. This space is paved with traditional Portuguese cobblestones and delimited by a low wall. In the churchyard, two stone crosses stand out, inviting a closer look at the serene atmosphere of the village.
The presence of this church in Monsanto dates back a long way, beginning in 1353 with the founding of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit, to whom the temple is dedicated. Its current structure, however, is the result of a significant reconstruction in the early 18th century, with a date of 1708 inscribed on the facade, marking this fundamental period. Over the centuries, the building underwent several interventions, including renovations in the second half of the 18th century and, later, an enlargement in height in the 19th or early 20th century, which resulted in the addition of the current choir loft. These transformations reflect the evolution and continuous importance of the church in the life of the local community.
The church's exterior stands out with its whitewashed facades, giving it a luminous presence amidst Monsanto's houses. The main facade, oriented southwest, is a notable example of 18th-century architecture, ornamented with pilasters and topped by a vertical structure culminating in the representation of the Holy Spirit, the parish's patron saint. The main portal, with its segmental arch and ornate moldings, is flanked by niches housing sculptures of Saint John the Evangelist and Our Lady of the Conception. To the left, stands the bell tower, with defined volumes and a domed roof, a striking element in the temple's silhouette.
Upon entering the Church of the Holy Spirit, one discovers a sober, yet richly detailed interior. The nave walls are enhanced by polychrome patterned tile panels, which add color and texture to the space. The nave, divided into three sections by pilasters decorated with vegetal and rocaille motifs, features a false vaulted ceiling. In the side chapels, there are altars dedicated to Saint Sebastian and Saint Joseph. The chancel, in turn, houses an impressive main altarpiece made of painted masonry, with false marbling in green, pink, and blue tones. This late-Baroque altarpiece culminates with the image of the dove of the Holy Spirit, reiterating the temple's dedication to its patron.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.4642825,-8.7106539
Coordinates DMS: 39°27'51.4"N 08°42'38.4"W
Weather Monsanto
On-duty Pharmacy Monsanto
