St Mary's Church, Óbidos

St Mary's Church is a 16th-century church in the village of Óbidos.

About this building

It was commissioned by Queen D. Leonor in the 16th century. In the 17th century it was extensively restored due to its poor state after the earthquake of 1535. The interior walls are covered in blue tiles and painted wood. It also preserves paintings by Baltazar Gomes Figueira and the well-known 17th-century painter Josefa de Óbidos.

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Monuments
  • Interior features

Other nearby buildings

Wikimedia Commons/Concierge.2C

Santarém Cathedral

Santarém Cathedral is a 17th century Jesuit church that was built on the site of the Royal Palace of Alcáçova Nova, which had been abandoned since the time of King John II (1481-1495). Later, with the expulsion of the Jesuits from Portugal (1759), by order of the Marquis of Pombal, the building became the seat of the Patriarchal Seminary after a donation from Mary I of Portugal (1777-1816), and remained so until the 20th century. When the Diocese of Santarém was created in 1975, the church was raised to the rank of cathedral.

Monastery of Batalha

The Monastery of Batalha, is a Dominican monastery founded in 1386 under King John I of Portugal (1385-1433) in thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for the victory over Castilian rivals in the battle of Aljubarrota (1383-1385). The monastery was built over two centuries until around 1563. It is a marvellous example of the Manueline style, which is why it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The monastery was also voted in 2007 as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It finally has the status of National Pantheon since 2016.

Wikimedia Commons/Vitor Oliveira

Leiria Cathedral

Leiria Cathedral was built in the 16th century when King John III asked Pope Paul III to create the Diocese of Leiria. Construction began in 1559, and in 1574 the church was consecrated. The earthquake of 1755 caused severe damage to the main façade, reconstruction of which began the following year. Also due to the effects of the earthquake, a new bell tower in Baroque style had to be built in 1772. During the French Invasions (1810), a fire led to the partial destruction of the interior of the church.