Church of Mercy

The Church of Mercy (Santa Rita or São João Church) is located outside the walled enclosure and has medieval origins. This is known because in 1320 it was taxed at 70 pounds as the Church of São João. The Church of Mercy was transferred to this building in 1626, when it was expanded. The attribution of the name of Santa Rita to this church is possibly related to the community’s great devotion to this Saint and the existence of an image of her in one of the church's altars. The property has been in ruins for over 50 years and has a rectangular floor plan with a single nave. The main portal contains a basket-handle arch, surmounted by two windows with straight lintels. Inside, the triumphal arch is round, and the base of the pulpit is decorated with scrolls and a medieval anthropomorphic motif. The sacristy is adjacent to the south side, with the wrought iron frame of its primitive bell tower still surviving.