Igreja da Misericórdia, Silves, Algarve
Igreja da Misericórdia, located in the historic city of Silves, is just opposite Silves Cathedral. The church dates from the second half of the 16th century and boasts an intact, highly-decorative Manueline doorway, which is one of the most important pieces of Manueline architecture preserved in the western Algarve.
History
The church was built to serve the Santa Casa da Misericórdia religious order founded in 1498 by Queen Leonor of Portugal. The order could be described as "the oldest NGO in the world." The Museu da Misericórdia do Porto in Porto is a modern museum with much information on this charitable organization for those interested in its good works.
The simple interior of the church is made up of just a single nave. The altarpiece has seven panels depicting the Seven Works of Mercy of a corporal nature below a painting entitled "The Crucifixion" dating from the early 18th century. The Seven Works are: "to care for the ill, to visit the imprisoned, to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, to provide drink for the thirsty, to shelter travelers and to bury the dead."
The chancel has a ribbed vault and the church has a collection of Misericórdia banners still used in religious processions.
Access
Igreja Misericórdia
Rua da Sé 8300-140 Silves
Hours: 9 am-5.30 pm. Check for the full hours of opening at Silves Turismo near the river as entry times may vary.
Nearby
Igreja Misericórdia is also within easy walking distance of Silves Castle, the Tourist Information Centre and the Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Silves.