Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Guimarães
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo in Guimarães is one of the city's several beautiful churches.
History
The church dates from the late 17th century with construction beginning in 1685.
The church was dedicated to Saint Teresa, a Spanish Carmelite nun, active as a reformer in the 16th century.
The main altar however is dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), the name for the Virgin Mary as the patroness of the Carmelite Order. This gives this small but beautiful, Baroque church its name.
The body of the church is divided from the chancel by a stone arch, and is enriched by two side altars: that of the Gospel, dedicated to Saint Anne and of the Epistle, Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
In the old choir reached by a set of stairs there is yet another altar, dedicated to the Crucified Christ.
With the official dissolution of the religious orders in Portugal in the 1830's, the Church and the Convent passed into the possession of the State, and the building was for a time used as a military hospital. From 1862, the building began to house the current Lar de Santa Estefânia, a lay Christian movement.
There are many churches of the same name throughout Portugal including a Nossa Senhora do Carmo in Faro in the Algarve. The Convento do Carmo is an historic ruin in the Chiado district of the capital, Lisbon.
Access
Largo Martins Sarmento
4800-432 Guimarães
Tel: 253 416 144
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 am-12.30 pm / 2 pm -5 pm
The church is within the historic, UNESCO World Heritage centre of the city.
Nearby
The church is downhill from Guimarães Castle, the Church of São Miguel do Castelo and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (Paço dos Duques de Bragança).
Other attractions in the city include the Alberto Sampaio Museum and the Padrão do Salado, built in the 14th century to celebrate a famous victory over the Moors by combined Spanish and Portuguese armies. It stands just outside the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira.
Hotels
Hotels in Guimarães include the four star Santa Luzia ArtHotel, the four star EMAJ Boutique Hotel and the Hotel do Carmo, also four star.
Other hotels in Guimarães are the four star Hotel de Guimarães and the pleasant Stay Hotel Guimarães Centro, adjacent to Guimarães Station. The budget HI Hostel Guimarães - Pousada de Juventude is also in this area.