Royal Basilica of Castro Verde, Algarve
The Royal Basilica of Castro Verde (Nossa Senhora da Conceição / Igreja Matriz de Castro Verde) in Castro Verde is an historic church in this peaceful market town in the Algarve.
The building includes a museum, the Tesouro da Basílica Real, where several pieces of religious art are now on show. Some of the pieces were collected from surrounding villages. These include a 17th century Indo-Portuguese crucifix from Entradas and a reliquary head of Saint Fabian from Casével.
History
The large church dates from the 18th century and was built over an earlier church, probably, from the reign of the ill-fated King Sebastian (Dom Sebastião).
Its construction was in honour of the Battle of Ourique in 1139 a pivotal event in Portuguese history where the first King of Portugal, Afonso I, secured a decisive victory against Moorish forces.
The church was enlarged in the 18th century with the addition of a second tower.
Further restorations to the roof and painted ceiling began in 2019 allowing the church to fully reopen in 2023.
Architecture
The façade is divided into three levels, with the main door of the church opening onto the first, with a rectangular frame, flanked by Ionic pilasters and topped by a pediment featuring the coat of arms of the Order of Santiago.
The imposing square bell towers, one with a clock, end in pinnacles and bell-shaped spires.
The interior of the church consists of a singular rectangular nave. Its walls are adorned with around 60,000 azulejos tiles depicting various scenes from the Battle of Ourique and other events. These are thought to be the work of the master architect and craftsman João Antunes (1642-1712), whose work can be seen throughout Portugal, for example, in the National Pantheon in Lisbon, the Igreja de Alcácer do Sal in Alcácer do Sal and the Convent of Jesus in Aveiro.
Access & Hours
Praça do Município
7780-217 Castro Verde
Tel: 286 328 550
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am to 1 pm / 2 pm to 5:30 pm. Closed: Monday; January 1st; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; May 1; Second Sunday in May (Festival of S. Miguel); December 25th.
Entrance: small fee for the treasury.
Nearby
Other places of interest in the town include the Museu da Lucerna which houses a unique collection of Roman oil lamps.
