Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Setúbal > Moita > Alhos Vedros > Bairro João da Silva
The Mother Church of St. Lawrence is located in Alhos Vedros, in the municipality of Moita, more specifically in the area known as Bairro João da Silva. It is situated in Largo da Igreja (Church Square), a place that offers a tranquil perspective on the urban surroundings, inviting a pause for observation of the architecture and environment of the locality.
The foundation of the Mother Church of St. Lawrence most likely dates back to the late 13th century. However, no traces of the original building remain. What is seen today is the result of a continuous process of transformations and additions throughout the centuries. This evolution resulted in an architectural complex of varied styles, reflecting the different eras and artistic trends that marked its construction and remodelling.
Upon entering the church, visitors are enveloped in an atmosphere of great historical and artistic value. The main nave, conceived in the 17th century in the sober plain style, stands out for its walls covered with tile panels dating from 1749. These panels narrate passages from the life, preaching, and martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, the patron saint of the temple. The wooden ceiling, decorated with coffered panels, also displays 18th-century paintings of particular interest. In the chancel, the gilded woodcarving altar, in the national style, captures the eye, complemented by 18th-century tile panels that cover the side walls.
The church also houses five side chapels, each a testament to private initiative and the distinct artistic currents that manifested over time. The Chapel of St. Sebastian, for example, founded in the late 15th century, holds three tomb chests, including one with the singular recumbent effigy of the knight Fernão do Casal, a remarkable example. In turn, the Chapel of St. John the Baptist displays Hispano-Moorish or Sevillian tile panels from the first half of the 16th century and a ribbed vault with a clear Manueline touch. Other chapels, such as those of St. Anthony, Our Lady of the Rosary, and Our Lady of the Angels, also reveal their own identity through tiles from different periods and a stone image of Our Lady with the Child on her lap, dating from the late 15th century, providing a visual journey through the diversity of the local heritage.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.6534823,-9.029253
Coordinates DMS: 38°39'12.5"N 09°01'45.3"W
Weather Alhos Vedros
On-duty Pharmacy Alhos Vedros
