Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Setúbal

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Community Centre

District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Setúbal > Montalvão

Location

The Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Setúbal is located in the heart of the city, in a place of great historical significance. It is situated next to the imposing Church and Convent of Jesus, in a pedestrian square that invites tranquility. This urban setting, flat and accessible, integrates it fully into the ancient fabric of Setúbal, allowing visitors to feel the pulse of local history.

A Secular History of Solidarity

Founded in 1499, the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Setúbal is one of the oldest and most relevant institutions in the city, with over five hundred years of existence. It was born as a brotherhood of Catholic faithful, driven by the desire to alleviate social needs and practice works of mercy. Throughout the centuries, its action has remained firm, adapting to the challenges of time, but always faithful to its original purpose of "doing good," a pillar that has shaped the history of the region and of Portugal.

Architectural Grandeur

The building that houses the Santa Casa is a remarkable testament to Portuguese architectural evolution. Of Gothic design, it was one of the first to integrate characteristic elements of the Manueline style, which would later become iconic in Portugal. Its original project, from 1494, is attributed to Diogo Boitaca, a renowned master builder who also designed the Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belém. The construction is distinguished by the use of the rare "brecha" stone from the Serra da Arrábida, visible on its facades. Inside, the beauty of twisted or spiraled columns and high vaults reveal artistic work of great elegance.

Artistic Details and Ambiance

Beyond its external grandeur, the interior spaces of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Setúbal hold artistic and decorative treasures. Visitors can admire painted ceilings with a rich palette of colors and themes alluding to the institution, as well as polychrome tile panels displaying a delicate neoclassical pattern. A grand baroque staircase, classified as an Immovable Property of Public Interest, is one of the highlights of the building, revealing the quality and refinement of its construction over the centuries. Currently, restoration and requalification works are underway in some areas, which promise to preserve and further enhance this heritage.

The Collection of the Misericórdia Museum

In one of the wings of the conventual complex, the Misericórdia Museum operates, housing a valuable collection of art. A notable collection of fifteenth-century painting, known as the "Portuguese Primitives," stands out. Among the most important pieces is the altarpiece of the Church of Jesus, attributed to Jorge Afonso, composed of fourteen panels of great artistic value. The museum also holds a variety of religious vestments of significant historical and material importance, offering a journey through sacred art and devotion from past eras.

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