By the GoÓbidos Team●24 December 2014
Óbidos Religious Heritage: Churches, Chapels and a Sanctuary
Josefa de Óbidos’s tomb, Gothic doorways and 17th-century tiles: a route through the churches of the village, most of them free to visit.
In this article
A short history Church of Santa Maria Church of São Pedro Church of the Misericórdia Church of São João Baptista Church of São Tiago Chapel of São Martinho Chapel of Monserrate Chapel of Carmo Senhor Jesus da Pedra Sanctuary Frequently asked questions
The history of Óbidos is made of ancient peoples, Celts, Romans, Moors, conquests, castles, kings and queens. Its churches and chapels tell much of that story, and most of them can be visited for free.
A short history
People have lived here since Neolithic times, as the hill fort of Outeiro da Assenta shows. The Romans built the city of Eburobrittium nearby, and the land was later held by the Moors until 1148, when the first Portuguese king conquered the castle.
King Dinis (1279–1325) gave the village to his wife, Queen Isabel, as a wedding gift, and until 1834 Óbidos belonged to the “House of the Queens”. The 1755 earthquake damaged many of its churches, and in 1974 a preparatory meeting for the Carnation Revolution of 25 April was held here.
Church of Santa Maria
The main church of the village was founded by King Afonso Henriques on the ruins of an earlier temple and entirely rebuilt in the 16th century under King João III and Queen Catarina. Its Renaissance doorway shows Our Lady venerated by angels, and inside, 17th-century tiles line the walls (see the listing).
Look for the paintings by Josefa de Óbidos and her father, Baltazar Gomes Figueira, and for the tomb of João de Noronha, by Nicolau Chanterene, a pioneer of Renaissance sculpture in Portugal.
Church of São Pedro
Damaged by the 1755 earthquake, it keeps only traces of its Gothic doorway on the façade. Inside, see the 18th-century statues of Saint Barbara, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and the gilded altarpiece framing a painting by João da Costa of Saint Peter receiving the keys of heaven (see the listing).
The painter Josefa de Óbidos (1630–1684) was buried here, at her own request, close to her patron, Our Lady of the Rosary.
Church of the Misericórdia
Founded by Queen Leonor, wife of King João II, the church has a Baroque doorway. Inside, the nave is lined with 17th-century blue and yellow tiles, and two paintings by André Reinoso show the Visitation and Pentecost (see the listing).
Church of São João Baptista
Its oldest records go back to 1309, when Queen Isabel founded a leper hospital with a chapel dedicated to Saint Vincent. Next to the Porta da Vila, it now houses the Parish Museum and its temporary exhibitions (see the listing).
Church of São Tiago
Dating from 1186, in the reign of King Sancho I, it served the royal family during their stays in Óbidos. Destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, it was rebuilt by 1772. Today it is the Santiago Bookshop, one of the landmarks of the Literary Village.
Chapel of São Martinho
A family funeral chapel opposite the Church of São Pedro, founded by the priest Pêro Fernandes in 1331. Its pointed doorway, with three archivolts and a Gothic inscription, leads to three tombs under a ribbed vault; two more medieval tombs stand outside (see the listing).
Chapel of Our Lady of Monserrate
Just outside the walls, it has a Baroque doorway with the arms of the Franciscan order. Inside, a single nave and a domed chancel are covered with tiles from the first half of the 17th century; the altarpiece by Belchior de Matos (c. 1600) shows Saint John in Patmos (see the listing).
Chapel of Our Lady of Carmo
Outside the walls, on the western slope, it is linked by tradition to a Roman temple to Jupiter. Its present façade results from 20th-century works after the 1755 earthquake. Note the medieval belfry; the 15th-century statue of Saint John the Baptist from this chapel is now in the Municipal Museum (see the listing).
Senhor Jesus da Pedra Sanctuary
At the entrance to Óbidos, on the road to Caldas da Rainha, this sanctuary was begun in 1747 to a design by Captain Rodrigo Franco. It is circular outside and hexagonal inside, with unusual inverted windows (see the listing).
The main altar holds the stone image of the crucified Christ that gives the sanctuary its name, found in a roadside chapel. The side chapels have paintings by José da Costa Negreiros, and the chancel a painting by André Gonçalves.
Guided tour
Óbidos: Medieval Tales & Secret Spots
A local guide tells the stories behind the churches, queens and legends of Óbidos, inside the walls.
Frequently asked questions
Are the churches of Óbidos free to visit?
Most of them are free. Opening hours vary, so it is best to visit during the day and check before you go.
Where is Josefa de Óbidos buried?
In the Church of São Pedro, at her own request. Her paintings can be seen in the Church of Santa Maria and in the Municipal Museum.
Why does the Senhor da Pedra Sanctuary have inverted windows?
It is one of the architectural peculiarities of this 18th-century Baroque church, which is circular outside and hexagonal inside.
More about Óbidos
- Itineraries in Óbidos
- Art and culture in Óbidos
- Óbidos Castle
- The narrow streets of Óbidos
- Óbidos Holy Week
- What to do in Óbidos
This article was prepared by the GoÓbidos team, the local tourist guide to Óbidos. Please check dates, opening hours and prices with the organisers before your visit.