Porto Churches: Igreja do São João Novo
The Igreja do São João Novo in Porto stands in the Largo de São João Novo.
The church dates from 1539 and was built on land in the city's Jewish quarter. The church has been rebuilt and restored on numerous occasions in its history.
History
The church was the monastery church of the now defunct Convento dos Frades Eremitas Calçados de Santo Agostinho (Gracianos) of São João Novo do Porto.
In 1834 the Augustinian friars were forced to abandon the monastery after the dissolution of the monastic orders in Portugal. The Porto Criminal and Correctional Court took over the building and is still housed there today.
Design
The church is built in a Latin cross, with a transept and a single nave with side chapels (two on each side) separated by pilasters.
The facade has iconography relating to Saint Augustine including a heart crossed by arrows and a double-headed eagle.
The interior is richly decorated with gilded structures.
The main altarpiece dates from 1775 with its central panel alluding to the Vision of Saint Augustine painted by João Glama.
The interior also includes a high choir, pipe organ and azulejos tile panels by Bartolomeu Antunes.
Access
Largo São João Novo 2, 4050-066 Porto
Tel: 22 205 1016
Admission: free for the church.
Nearby
The church is close to the Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro de Miragaia and the excellent World of Discoveries Museum.
In front of the church, on the opposite side of Largo de São João Novo, is the São João Novo Palace, built in the late 18th century, in the Baroque style that many attribute to Nicolau Nasoni.
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