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On this page you will find all information about Churches and Chapels in the Blue Coast region of the Alentejo in Portugal.
The Region of the Costa Azul is more than just a long strip of land between Sines and Alcochete, devoid of its own characteristics. At a first glance, a visitor who approaches from the north, notices flourishing and busy towns all similar in nature.
However, he who enters from the south side can be easily led to believe that the only thing to be found is sun and beaches. What is least expected is a multi-faceted panorama of various human occupations with different gastronomy, handicrafts, ways of living and being which are reflected in popular tradition together with economic activity and traces of heritage.
On this route, we will visit the Churches, more specifically the buildings where people may manifest their religious beliefs, whose origins are a result of agglomerations of people of significant numbers. The remains of archaeological evidence found in the area however, go back as far as pre-historical times.
The churches in the Costa Azul all have very different origins. Some of them developed through population growth as is mentioned before in references to the Order of Santiago, present in these lands, which has been a significant driving force leading to construction.
Others were built as a result of the need to house those struck by the plague. These buildings were often found on the outskirts of the towns to where those afflicted were ostracized as the populations were very afraid of being contaminated.
One may also find temples built by fishermen, inspired by their devotion of Our Lady, considered to be the protective mother by seafarers. Charitable institutions known as the Misericórdia, were responsible, from the XVI century, for taking an important role in social welfare situations. They had churches and hospitals built which, however, do not offer the same opulence of those from other parts of the country.
Before continuing, it is a good idea to focus upon the type of building that may be found. The parish churches - almost always have some connection to the parishes themselves, which, historically important, display their greatness by their sheer size. In the district capitals, Cathedrals are the most ostentatious edifices.
Generally speaking, the cathedrals are responsible for holding more important religious ceremonies. Parochial churches grew, out of the need from the populations of urban centres, into religious nuclei of devout activity. In the case of small centres, the parochial church is the only example of an existing religious monument.
Throughout the district, examples of churches connected to Convents may be found. These, together with the parish churches, were constructed by Royal Charter or by notable figures, whose origins are either from royalty, the clergy or the affluent burgeois of the time. Chapels annexed to palatial homes may also be found in the area.
In rural areas, the patron saints of various chapels are apt to cure such maladies afflicting mankind or, by popular belief, protectors of animals and crops. To conclude, churches which are the responsibility of fraternities may be found, a former Jesuit school, and annexed to hospitals for pilgrims.
In places, tiny altars stand out in the hills as white dots, in the district capitals, the old quarters often house small picturesque altars which give a characteristic atmosphere to the place and reflect the spirituality of the people. Following the earthquake of 1755, this region which was greatly damaged, began to revere St. Marçal, protector against fires.
It is for this reason that this saint is visible in the tiles found on the façades of so many buildings from the Pombaline period of reconstruction.
Let us the start our trip. Our itinerary will cover the area in a logical fashion, pausing where appropriate, to cover townships which, closeby, may belong to different parishes.
Simply click on a Red button on the map below to see information for that church or chapel
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