Igreja da Misericórdia de Tavira
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Igreja da Misericórdia de Tavira is a church in Portugal. It is classified as a National Monument.
37°07′33″N 7°39′03″W / 37.1258805°N 7.6507086°W
Tavira’s Church of the Misericórdia (mercy of God, see Misericordia) is an integral part of the architectural complex known as the Building and Church of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Tavira. It is at the heart of the civic parish (freguesa) of Tavira (Santa Maria and Santiago).
Commissioned by the Misericórdia de Tavira,[1] (1541-1551) it was designed by André Pilarte, who also contributed to the building of the Jerónimos Monastery, in Lisbon.
Since 1943, the church has been classified as a Property of Public Interest.
History
Among all Renaissance buildings in the Algarve, this is one of the best. It was constructed over ten years from 1541.
Decorated tiles
The tile panels around the internal walls are generous in scale. They date to 1760. There are altogether eighteen figurative panels, all of them assemblages of hand-painted tiles. Four of these depict the life of Christ. Fourteen large frames depict the 14 Works of mercy. These are recognised in the Catholic Church as consisting of seven corporal acts of mercy (on the right-hand wall):
To feed the hungry.
To give water to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To shelter the homeless.
To visit the sick.
To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive.
To bury the dead.
Shown on the left-hand wall are the seven spiritual works of mercy:
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To admonish the sinners.
To bear patiently those who wrong us.
To forgive offences.
To comfort the afflicted.
To pray for the living and the dead.
Paintings
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, artist unknown. 18th century. Oil painting, 501 by 236 cm.
Altarpieces
The work of Manuel Abreu do Ó, the altarpieces are Baroque in style, dating to 1722. They are carved in wood, which was then polychromed and gilded.
Architecture
The overall design is the work of André Pilate. Its Renaissance features can be seen in the main portal, decorated with motifs inspired by Italian engravings. The portal itself depicts Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia (Our Lady of Mercy), with Saint Peter and Saint Paul on either side of her. Here also can be seen the arms of the kingdom of Portugal and the city of Tavira. Inside the church are three naves with Renaissance capitals, meticulously embellished. The main retable was constructed in 1723, and reflects the Baroque style.
Gallery
References
- ^ //htpps:scmtavira.pt
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