Misericórdia Church / Chapel of Mareantes

Séc. XVI / Séc. XIX

The Church and House of Misericórdia dates back to 1579.
The current building results from the 1893 renovation works, with the new church oriented from south to north. The interior is of Renaissance aesthetics and the chancel has an interesting baroque woodcarving, surmounted by a 17th-century altarpiece where Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia (Our Lady of Mercy) is represented.
In 1621 the altar of Senhora da Piedade (Lady of Pity) and the altar of Christ were already there, the latter being in the Chapel of Santo Cristo or of Mareantes.
This profusely ornamented mannerist chapel has remained in its original position. The vaulted and coffered ceiling has polychrome woodcarvings representing prophets. The altar, whose scenery depicts the city of men guarded by angels and two founding prophets, is flanked by altarpieces as well as presided by a sculpture of the crucified Jesus, Bom Jesus dos Mareantes (the Good Jesus of the Seafarers), having at its feet Nossa Senhora (the Madonna) and São João Evangelista (St. John the Evangelist).
Property of Public Interest.