2005 © Oficina Virtual de Turismo
The convent and palace church of S. Francisco, where we are now, built by D.
João II and finished in the reign of D. Manuel I, was constructed on an early
13th century gothic church. It was the first mendicant foundation
south of the River Tagus.
The church’s façade is impressive because of the size of its coronets, made up
of conical minarets, animal-like gargoyles, chamfered battlements and a portico
where you can see the Royal arms of the monarchs who built it.
It is a notable example of the Alentejan late gothic period and the church ahs
just one nave (one of the largest in Portugal), surrounded by side chapels. In
the lanceted vault you can see once again the new patents and symbols that link
the church to the discoveries and its founders: the Cross of Christ, the
pelican of D. João II, and the armoury sphere of D. Manuel I.
|
|