Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Viseu > Vouzela > Vouzela > Vouzela e Paços de Vilharigues
The Church of Mercy (Igreja da Misericórdia) is located in the historic centre of the town of Vouzela, part of the urban area of Vouzela e Paços de Vilharigues. Its central position in the town makes it a visual landmark. The façade, covered in blue and white patterned tiles (azulejos), gives the building a striking presence in the surrounding urban landscape.
This temple has its roots in the Brotherhood and Confraternity of Our Lady Mother of God of the Holy House of Mercy, an institution founded in 1498 with the blessing of Queen Leonor. The Brotherhood played a vital role in the community, dedicated to the practice of charity, which included supporting the most disadvantaged, assisting orphans and the sick, and helping with the burial of the dead.
The construction of the building seen today began in 1593. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several interventions and renovations. In 1647, for example, the main altar was enriched with the remarkable Retable of the Visitation. Other significant works took place in 1743, and in the 20th century, in 1960, the church was reopened after a period of major restoration work, with special attention given to enhancing the gilded woodwork and the main altarpiece.
Inside the church, the Retable of the Visitation, the centrepiece of the main altar, is one of the elements of greatest artistic interest. Depicting the visit of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth, this ensemble of gilded woodwork, with its Solomonic columns, is a remarkable example of the first phase of the Portuguese Baroque. Although integrated into the main altar in 1647, its design and style are dated to the early 17th century. Its rarity and artistic importance have been recognised by historians, who consider it one of the oldest of its kind in the region.
The interior space also houses other notable images, such as that of Our Lady of Solitude, whose unique construction deserves attention. Also noteworthy is the figure of The Dead Christ, carved in wood, with expressive anatomical precision and beauty of form, and the image of Our Lord on the way to Calvary, accompanied by Our Lady of Piety. In the choir loft, an old organ remains as a silent witness to the temple's history.
The history of the Church of Mercy of Vouzela reveals a deep connection to faith and religious traditions. In the archives of the Holy House of Mercy, there are historical documents, known as "Briefs," issued directly by His Holiness Pope Urban VIII in the 17th century. These important papers granted plenary indulgences to the brothers of the confraternity in exchange for their participation in various religious practices and specific celebrations, such as the feasts dedicated to Saint Giles, Saint Elizabeth, Saint Sebastian, and Saint Anthony. This legacy underscores the spiritual relevance and the church's connection to papal authority throughout the centuries.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.723899,-8.1119381
Coordinates DMS: 40°43'26.0"N 08°06'43.0"W
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