Nossa Senhora da Ajuda Church

About

Former convent church of the hermit friars of São Paulo was built in 1606 within the values of the austere "estilo chão".In 1834 with the extintion of the religious orders the convent and the fence were sold in auction and the church delivered to the confraternity of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda and later to the parish of Santa Maria. Today only the church survives, an interesting architectural manifestation of the first half of the 17th century. It has a fringed façade wich incorporates a narthex on the ground floor and a second floor define by three windows and a niche with the patron`s clay image. The inner part features a plant in latin cross and has a chancel-mor, cruise and a single nave. It has an interesting painting, carving and a religious imaginary collection from the 16th, 17th and 18th century in part belonged to other churches and extinct convents. Noteworthy is the altarpiece of Nossa Senhora do Carmo made in 1730 by the carver Gaspar Martins.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes