Church of Santa Maria Madalena (Olivença)

Church of Santa Maria Madalena

Church of Santa Maria Madalena is a temple located in Olivenza, Spain. It was commissioned by King Manuel I in the 16th century, giving its name to the parish and the civil parish. Its construction was driven by Friar Henrique de Coimbra, Bishop of Ceuta, who celebrated the first mass in Brazil and is buried inside the church.[1] It was partly inspired by the Convent of Jesus and the Elvas Cathedral.[2] It became the seat of the Bishopric of Ceuta after Olivenza was included in the territory of this bishopric.[1]

Details

It is an example of the Manueline style. The main door was added later during the Renaissance period. The interior features twisted columns, resembling the rigging of a ship, as well as six Baroque altarpieces adorned with azulejo tiles. On the exterior, one can also observe the so-called false machicolations, gargoyles, and pinnacles, among other architectural elements.[2]

In the early 18th century, it housed a hospital and a Franciscan convent, accommodating 25 religious persons.[3] The quality of its water, captured in the so-called São Francisco well, was highly praised at the time, with pilgrims claiming it was the best in the Kingdom of Portugal.[3]

The Best Corner of Spain 2012

In 2012, the monument won the competition "The Best Corner of Spain 2012", promoted by the oil company Repsol, which elects the best and most picturesque Spanish corners.[4]

  • Facade
    Facade
  • Facade
    Facade
  • Facade
    Facade
  • Detail of the main door
    Detail of the main door
  • Side door
    Side door
  • Side view
    Side view
  • Interior
    Interior

References

  1. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ a b Corographia portugueza e descripçam topographica do famoso Reyno de Portugal, Tomo II, Padre António Carvalho da Costa, 1708
  4. ^ "Igreja portuguesa de Olivença eleita "melhor recanto de Espanha"". Archived from the original on 30 September 2012.
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38°41′10″N 7°06′01″W / 38.6862°N 7.1004°W / 38.6862; -7.1004