Portugal Attractions: Igreja de Santa Maria, Bragança
The Cidadela in Bragança, the walled old city that includes Bragança Castle, its Military Museum (Museu Militar), the nearby Iberian Museum of the Mask and the Costume (Museu Ibérico da Máscara e do Traje), as well as the Domus Municipalis, also hosts an historic church - the Igreja de Santa Maria da Assunção.
History
The Igreja de Santa Maria da Assunção (Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption) is thought to date from the late 16th century, though an earlier church probably stood on the same site and was built at the same time as Bragança Castle in the 12th century. The church is also known locally as Nossa Senhora do Sardão.
The white washed exterior is entered through a fine baroque, stone door with corkscrew-like Solomonic columns to reveal the darkened interior of the church. This consists of three naves supported by mudejar brick columns.
The extremely ornate altar is from the 17th century and is of the Spanish Renaissance school. The main image is of Santa Maria de Magdalena (Mary Magdalene) by the Spanish sculptor Gregorio Hernández (1576-1636).
Though somewhat faded over time, the arched, barrel-shaped ceiling has fine paintings of the Assumption dating from the 18th century. A bell tower completes the pleasing structure.
Access
Igreja de Santa Maria
Rua da Cidadela 112
5300-025 Bragança, Portugal
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm.