Church of Saint John the Evangelist of Alfange

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Santarém > Santarém > Santarém > Alfange

Location

Located in Santarém, on a hill overlooking the Alfange neighborhood, this historic church is connected to the riverside area by an imposing staircase.

Origin

Founded between the 9th and 10th centuries, during Muslim rule, by a community of Mozarabic Christians. There are vestiges of an even older temple, possibly Visigothic.

Architectural Styles

Combines elements from various periods, from pre-Romanesque to Baroque. Highlights include the pre-Romanesque chancel and the carpet-type tiles, originally decorating the walls.

Relevant History

, Rebuilt in Romanesque style after the conquest of Santarém by D. Afonso Henriques, who donated it to the Order of the Temple.

, Underwent important reforms after the 1755 earthquake, with the inclusion of Baroque elements.

, For centuries, the church had religious functions, but fell into ruins in the 19th century, only being recently restored.

Chancel

Maintains the pre-Romanesque barrel vault and the Mozarabic-style triumphal arch.

Bell Tower

Stands out for its dome-shaped top.

Main Facade

Simple, with an ornamented portal and arched window, topped by a royal coat of arms stone.

Interior

Originally divided into three naves, it now has a single nave with vestiges of gilded carvings and ancient paintings.

Curiosities

, The main altar had images of Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist.

, Some elements, such as the tiles, were transferred to other churches, such as Santa Maria de Marvila.

Restoration

After decades in ruins, it was the target of a recent intervention that preserved its historical importance.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_de_São_João_Evangelista_do_Alfange

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