Category: Religious Architecture > Portico
District: Setúbal > Alcochete > Alcochete > Bairro do Olival
The Portico of the Convent of São Francisco is located in Alcochete, in the Olival Neighbourhood. This structure is a central landmark in the parish which, in fact, owes its name to the old convent it belonged to. Its presence in the local urban landscape marks a point of historical and cultural interest for those who walk through the streets of this area of Alcochete.
This unique portico is all that remains of an important Franciscan convent, founded in the 16th century. The history of the site is even older, as the convent was built upon the ruins of an earlier church, dedicated to Santa Maria de Sabonha, whose presence dates back to the 13th to 16th centuries. The Convent of São Francisco, established in 1572, held considerable relevance in the region until its extinction in 1834.
As the last vestige of a conventual era, the portico was recognised for its value and classified as a Property of Municipal Value, reflecting its importance to the memory and identity of Alcochete.
The structure of the portico reveals the architectural aesthetic of its time, featuring three arched openings, supported by robust quadrangular pillars. At the top, it is crowned by three pediments; the lateral ones end in pinnacles, while the central one is surmounted by a cross, giving it an imposing presence.
The portico is further distinguished by its 18th-century tilework decoration. A set of ten tile panels, in shades of blue and white, enriches its surface. In these panels, figures of saints are represented: on the north side, one can observe Saint Salvador da Horta, Saint Paschal Baylon, and Saint Anthony, and on the south side, Saint Bonaventure, Saint Louis, and Saint Francis. These artistic details offer a glimpse into the devotion and art of the era.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.7318372, -8.97310444
Coordinates DMS: 38°43'54.6"N 08°58'23.2"W
On-duty Pharmacy Alcochete
