Images of Portugal: Igreja de São Marcos, Braga
The Igreja de São Marcos in Braga in the Minho region of north west Portugal, dates from the 18th century and was designed by locally-born architect Carlos Amarante (1748-1815). The church stands in a square named after him - the Largo Carlos Amarante.
On the façade of the church is a statue of Saint Mark, patron saint of the church who was bishop of the Eastern Orthodox Church at the time of Emperor Constantine. Relics from the body of the saint lie within the church. Life-size statues of the apostles also adorn the impressive façade.
The Igreja de São Marcos stands on the site of a hospital built by Diogo de Sousa (c. 1461-1532), an Archbishop of Braga, for the poor and also for pilgrims visiting the city. The hospital, which had over 520 beds, including 37 beds in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, operated from 1508 until 2011. The building is now the property of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Braga.
In 2016, the north pavilion of the church was transformed into the Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant and a garden.
The nearby Palácio do Raio (aka 'Casa so Mexicano') contains the Interpretive Center Memories of the Mercy of Braga (Centro Interpretativo Memórias da Misericórdia de Braga). This museum has exhibits from the Hospital of São Marcos including documents and medical instruments. In addition the museum has information on the architects Carlos Amarante and André Soares (who designed the Palácio do Raio) as well as paintings, sculpture and pottery plus information on the Santa Casa da Misericórdia.
Address: Largo Carlos Amarante 3, 4700-321 Braga, Portugal.
