Visit Igreja de Santa Maria
Table of Contents
Igreja de Santa Maria Obidos, located in the northwestern part of Portugal, is a small town with a rich history and a unique architectural heritage. This amazing town is known for its beautiful churches, narrow streets and traditional Portuguese atmosphere. Here you can enjoy authentic European architecture, historical monuments and extensive vineyards.
Igreja de Santa Maria offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an ancient Portuguese town, combining a rich cultural heritage with beautiful natural scenery. In this article we will go through the details of this place, learn its history, opening hours and how to get to it.
Tourist information
Among the churches in Portugal, Igreja de Santa Maria is richly celebrated for its historical roots and splendid architecture, starting from its Visigothic roots, transformed into a mosque later on and finally into a church in the twelfth century. The church was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1535, which was the beginning of its Baroque reconstruction in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
The interior of the church is decorated with a magnificent Baroque retablo and picture panels, including the famous painting “The Martyrdom and Life of St. Catherine”, created in 1661 by Josefa de Obidos. A painted wooden ceiling dating from 1676 and walls covered with blue and yellow tiles between 1680 and 1690 add to the church’s exquisite charm.
Features include the tomb of Joao de Noronha, carved in stone in 1525 and recognized as a national monument, and a 17th-century organ located in the choir. Outside, a Mannerist-style portico features an image of Our Lady of the Assumption and the iconic pillar of shame opposite.
The Igreja de Santa Maria da Graça is also remembered as the site of important historical events, including the wedding of King Afonso and Queen Isabella in 1411. On weekends, wedding ceremonies can be found here, giving the place a special charm and bringing back its historical heritage.
Interesting facts
- Historical roots. St. Mary’s Church in Obidusz has ancient origins dating back to the Visigothic period, when it was built as a Christian church.
- Multiple transformations. The church has been transformed several times during its history, first into a mosque during the Muslim rule, then again into a Christian church after the liberation of Obidos in 1148.
- Architectural styles. The modern appearance of the church dates back to the 16th century and reflects the Renaissance and Mannerist architectural styles characteristic of the time.
- Earthquake and rebuilding. In 1535 the church was severely damaged by an earthquake, after which it was completely rebuilt at the behest of Queen D. Catherine of Austria in 1571.
- Artistic treasures. Inside the church one can see numerous artistic works, including the Renaissance tomb of D. João de Noronha and the collections of paintings by Josefa de Obidos and Baltazar Gomes Figueira.
- Cultural significance. The church has witnessed important events in Portuguese history, including the wedding of King Afonso V and Isabella in 1441, making it not only a religious but also a cultural center.
- Architectural details. The exterior of the church is adorned with a Mannerist portal depicting Our Lady of the Assumption, while the interior is decorated with a painted wooden ceiling and blue-and-yellow tiles from the 17th century.
- National heritage. Igreja de Santa Maria is recognized as a Portuguese national monument for its historical and cultural value.
Open hours
The Gate de Obidos is open to the public daily in the morning from 09:30 to 00:30, and then again from 02:30 to 17:00.
Tickets
Admission to St. Mary’s Church in Obidusz is free of charge.
Address
Address: Praça de Santa Maria 2510-001 Obidos.
How to get to Igreja de Santa Maria
For travel from Lisbon to Basílica de Santa Maria, there are several transportation options:
Train
This is one of the most convenient and relatively quick ways to get to Igreja de Santa Maria from Lisbon. The train will take about 3 hours and 45 minutes to travel and ticket prices can range from €14 to €58.
Bus
This option is the most economical, with tickets ranging from €7 to €50. However, the travel time is around 4 hours and 19 minutes as a transfer to Ermesinde is required.
Plane and Metro
If you prefer speed and are willing to spend more money, this option is ideal. It involves flying and using the metro, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes to travel. Tickets can range from €39 to €107.
