Igreja de Santa Barbara de Nexe

About

The Land of Nexe is localized between the Sierra and the Sea, with its Mother Church and overlooking the coast. Is characterized, for several centuries, for housing and small scattered settlements. Today is also recognized as a tourist destination and a place that several foreigners choose to live at, because of its natural beauty. The earliest references to the place of Nexe date back to the 1st half of the XIV century, more precisely in 1347. It is likely that even then there was a small chapel dedicated to St. Barbara whose image, a small sculpture, was upon the main altar. In the late XV century, the previous temple was completely renovated, giving rise to an array of three naves and five spans, with pointed arches supported by columns with capitals of cup shape. An exuberant Manueline triumphal arch, carved with branches, together with Renaissance decoration, gives access to the main altar, which is topped by a starry vault of five keys, connected by shaped rope stone. In 1518, began the construction of a Renaissance altarpiece wooden structure with three bodies, and in the 1st half of the XVIII century, as a result of economic prosperity experienced in the region, it was witnessed a profound change in the ornamentation of the temple. Integrated into this renovation campaign, the tiles "azulejos", gave the decoration a singular elegance, specially the panel on the top of the triumphal arch, representing Saint Barbara to be crowned by two angels having a fortress as background. In 1733, took place a replacement in the previous altarpiece of the main chapel, following the Baroque canons, corresponding to what it is today. The population organized and blamed himself for the side altars. The oldest one dedicated to Saint Anthony and another of Our Lady, whose pictures were painted on the walls, giving rise to interesting altarpieces Baroque carving. There were also created three new chapels dedicated to the Lord Jesus, the Souls in Purgatory and the Saint Amaro, which is among the various altarpieces the most relevant due to the rocaille decoration. To emphasize the importance attributed to architectural composition that is imposed and strongly determines the use of decorative elements, some of which are surprising aesthetic . Although the authorship is unknown, it was certainly designed and made by a master carver of the Algarve.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes