Aldeias Históricas de Portugal

Villages

Main Parish Church

Idanha-a-Velha

Idanha-a-Velha

The Main Church, formerly the chapel of Mercy, has a rectangular floor plan with a single nave, dating back to the late 16th century or early 17th century. At the centre of the façade is a door decorated with bas-reliefs, with an arch closed by a shield bearing a Tau cross. This church is home to an important collection of sacred art, including sculptures, textiles and paintings, with a 17th century altarpiece representing the Virgin of the Mantle and a baroque image of the crucified Christ. In the 1970s, work was carried out that changed its character. It again underwent renovation work within the scope of the Historical Villages programme, with a contemporary architectural project carried out by Atelier 15 (Architects Alexandre Alves Costa and Sérgio Fernandez).