Church of Our Lady of the Conception of Oliveira

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Setúbal > Santiago do Cacém > Alvalade

Location

The Church of Our Lady of Conceição da Oliveira is located in the heart of the town of Alvalade, in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém. The building stands out in a walled and landscaped churchyard, providing a serene environment that invites observation of its architecture, flanked by a square that gives the place a welcoming and central character in the community's life.

Architecture and History

This parish church is a testament to artistic and constructive evolution over the centuries, with its origins dating back to the early 16th century. Over time, it has been enriched with elements of various styles, featuring characteristics ranging from Manueline, Baroque, and even Neo-Gothic, a mixture that gives the building a unique personality. The main façade, for example, displays a pointed arch stone portal, notable for its small columns and carved capitals, and a Neo-Gothic window that repeats the portal's design. On the bell tower, an old sundial with Arabic numerals adds a picturesque touch to the ensemble.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the church is its chancel. Its semi-octagonal shape is uncommon in southern Alentejo, standing out for its constructive quality and the richness of its sculpted details, which are evident in the corbels, keystone, and capitals of the vault. This architectural particularity, influenced by mendicant churches, is one of the features that makes the monument especially interesting for art history enthusiasts.

Treasures Inside

The interior of the church houses a heritage of remarkable artistic value. The eye is immediately drawn to the splendid main altarpiece in gilded and polychrome carving, a valuable example of the national style that dominates the chancel. In its alcove, a magnificent canvas depicts the image of Our Lady of Conceição, a work by the painter Bento Coelho da Silveira, which adds depth and devotion to the space.

In addition to the main altarpiece, other side chapels enrich the interior, each with its own altars. In the baptistery, one can observe an old stone baptismal font, octagonal in section and slightly twisted, covered by an elaborate vault. The pointed triumphal arch, which separates the nave from the chancel, is supported by twisted columns with cylindrical shafts, whose capitals reveal delicate vegetal decoration, contributing to the temple's atmosphere of grandeur and spirituality.

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