The Churches Route - Itinerary of the Religious Heritage of Peniche Municipality
As its coast has been quite prone to shipwrecks and maritime disasters, the maritime history of Peniche is manifestly filled with tragic episodes involving this fishing community, which reinstate the lasting and conflicting ties between humanity and the sea; the latter whilst providing food and wealth, also wrecks and destroys. This cruel contradiction has given rise to a human experience deeply touched by faith and profound religiousness, quite visible in the sea-related religious worships and feasts, which include the celebrations of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Safe Journey and Our Lady of Good Remedy.
The religiousness of this fishing community is equally immortalised by the magnificence of its temples. The chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and the churches of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, S. Pedro and Misericódia of Peniche are, for their historic importance and artistic beauty, the most meaningful monuments of the peninsula of Peniche, evoking the deep devotion of its people.
The geographical location of Peniche for many centuries justified its relevance, manifested namely in its connection with Vila de Atouguia da Baleia, the former capital city of the Municipality chartered by the first King of Portugal, and in the connection of Serra d’El-Rei to Casa Real. The Municipality’s religious heritage of great value is dispersed throughout the rural parishes, and visiting the churches of S. Leonardo, Nossa Senhora da Conceição e Misericódia (all of which in Atouguia da Baleia), Nossa Senhora da Consolação (in Consolação) and of S. Sebastião (Vila de Serra d’El-Rei), or even S. Estêvão chapel (Baleal) is mandatory under this itinerary.
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Church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Our Lady of Perpetual Help)
The church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda was built in the 16th century, thus being the oldest temple in Peniche.
The devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help began with the legend of the image of the Virgin that was found in a small cave on the peninsula of Papoa. The image was worshiped in the former church of S. Vicente (Saint Vincent) - which remained until the 19th century - ,until a sanctuary dedicated to this saint was built in the 16th century.
The church is longitudinal in shape and includes a single nave; the vault ceiling is decorated in red and dark brown motifs.
The church recently underwent renovations.
Points of interest:
- The church’s lateral walls covered in 18th century tiles (azulejos) of high artistic value, depicting scenes of the Virgin’s life and other profane topics.
- The ceiling of the main chapel, covered in panel paintings with religious scenes.
- 17th and 18th century gilded retables of the main and lateral alters.
- Wooden sculptures of Saint Pedro Gonçalves Telmo, Saint Vincent, Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Building of Public Interest | Rua da Liberdade, City of Peniche | Peniche parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 21 54.1777; long. -9 22 41.8335
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Church of S. Pedro (Saint Peter)
The church of S. Pedro (Saint Peter), built in the late fifteen-hundreds, is the most majestic temple of the Municipality.
The parish was initially dedicated to the Holy Spirit, and in 1589 the church erected in the name of Saint Peter was still to be seen. The original temple then gave way to the new church, which started being built sometime between 1589 and 1593, and was completed in 1615. In 1670 it was enlarged to three naves, the works ending in 1698.
The church’s facade is incomplete, since only one of the towers was built. Inside it is divided into three large naves. The central nave encompasses the main chapel in Baroque style, dedicated to Saint Peter.
Points of interest:
- The gilded main chapel, twisted columns and paintings on canvas from 1711 depicting the life of the patron saint, by Pedro Peixoto.
- The Tuscan order columns along the central nave
- The lateral altars dedicated to Our Lady of Safe Journey (Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem), Our Lord of Good End (Nosso Senhor do Bonfim) and Saint Joseph.
- Pipe organ in the high choir
Building of Public Interest | Rua José Estêvão, City of Peniche | Peniche parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 21 20.9242; long. -9 22 46.1177
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Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Our Lady of Good Remedy)
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios(Our Lady of Good Remedy), on the western coast of the Peniche peninsula, is the foundation of a sanctuary of Marian devotion. The date when this temple was erected is unknown, although is it believed to be prior to the 17th century.
According to the legend, an image of Our Lady was found in the 12th century, hidden in a small cave next to where the chapel lies today, and this was when the devotion to Our Lady of Good Remedy is believed to have started.
This devotion translated in annual pilgrimages, Círios, possibly resulted in the erection of a sanctuary in the 17th century, which included said chapel and the yard surrounded by the hermit and stewards’ houses, the hostels and stables.
Points of interest:
- The main chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Good Remedy
- 18th century tiles (azulejos) with paintings of Our Lady
- Chapel of Senhor Morto (Dead Lord), where the image of Christ is worshiped, also called Our Lord of Good Remedy
Building of Public Interest | Largo dos Remédios, City of Peniche | Peniche parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 21 59.8639; long. -9 24 11.6805
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The Church of Misericórdia in Peniche
This church of the eighteen hundreds, formerly part of the hospital of Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Peniche, is currently located in the historical core of Peniche.
Its facade in pombaline style ends in a triangular fronton carved with flame shapes. Inside, the church is composed of a single nave, and its rare beauty is manifest in the tiles, the oil paintings on the walls and painted ceiling panels.
Points of interest:
- 17th century tiles
- 17th century ceiling displays 55 panel paintings with scenes from the New Testament, the Book of Acts and Apocalypse
- Oil paintings, some quite large, with scenes from the gospel
- Collection of oil paintings by Josefa de Óbidos and Baltazar Gomes Figueira
- The brotherhood gallery
- The tomb of D. Luís de Ataíde (3rd Earl of Atouguia da Baleia and Vice-Roy of India from 1568 to 1571 and 1577 to 1580)
- 15th century Flemish retable from the Brussels School, in the Sacred Art exhibit beside the church
Building of Public Interest | Largo 5 de Outubro, City of Peniche | Peniche parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 21 26.9117; long. -9 22 44.5227
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Church of S. Leonardo (St. Leonard)
This church, dedicated to Saint Leonard, is one of the most exquisite examples of the Municipality’s religious architecture owing to its features and content. It is a majestic illustration of the historical value of Vila de Atouguia da Baleia.
According to the legend, it was built from the bones of a stranded whale. It is believed to have been built in the 13th century, as witness certain stylistic details which place it chronologically in the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic styles.
In mendicant style, the facade exhibits on one side the belfort topped by two small pyramids, the arch door is crowned with capitals with mythological figures. Inside the church is divided into three naves by an imposing ogival arcade.
Points of interest:
- In the main chapel, the tomb of D. Álvaro Gonçalves de Ataíde, 1st Earl of Atouguia
- The 14th century altar front includes a bas-relief in white limestone representing the Nativity
- Five 16th century paintings of great value, particularly one of the oracle Saint Leonard, presumably made by Master São Quintino or one of his apprentices
- Two lateral chapels, the one on the left covered in 17th century polychrome tiles
- 17th century crèche, presumably by the School of Machado de Castro
- Large whale bone
National Monument | Largo de S. Leonardo, Vila de Atouguia da Baleia | Atouguia da Baleia parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 20 20.7342; long. -9 19 31.6865
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Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of Conception)
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of Immaculate Conception) is a temple in baroque style by architect João Antunes, which replaced the old chapel. It was built with the alms of the people and the donation of Queen Marie Sophie Isabel von Neuburg, the second wife of King Pedro II, as a token of her devotion to Our Lady sitting at the foot of the altar.
It is a church longitudinal in shape, comprised of the overlapping rectangles of the nave and the main chapel, and the sacristy and meeting rooms adjacent hereto. The facade displays turrets from carved stone. Inside, a single arch nave unveils the beauty of the main chapel covered in marble.
The church recently underwent renovations.
Points of interest:
- The high altar covered in different shades of marble, from the twisted columns of the retable to the medallions on the lateral walls and ceiling
- The 17th century gilded altar at the foot of the statue of the patron saint
- Shell-shaped holy water fonts in Arrábida marble
Building of Public Interest | Largo de N.ª Sr.ª da Conceição, Vila de Atouguia da Baleia | Atouguia da Baleia parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 20 11.4703; long. -9 19 31.7883
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Church of Misericórdia of Atouguia da Baleia
The church was erected by Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Atouguia da Baleia (founded in 1544). It is a perfect example of mannerist architecture, manifest in the single long nave, which forms the church’s body, and in the austerity of the ornamental motifs.
The church recently underwent renovations.
Points of interest:
- The high altar, and the typical twisted columns with high relief decoration depicting animals and plants
- Choir stalls, the brotherhood’s tribune
- Painted ceiling, displaying the Portuguese coat of arms restored, adopted by Misericórdias
- Typical 17th century tile panels, depicting predominantly plant life of strong regional presence
Rua Padre José Tavares, Vila de Atouguia da Baleia | Atouguia da Baleia parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 20 22.90951; long. -9 19 37.6345
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Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação (Our Lady of Consolation)
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação (Our Lady of Consolation), adjacent to the fortress with the same name, was founded in the 18th century. Engineered by military engineer Estêvão Luís, the temple is believed to have replaced a chapel also dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation.
The size of the temple, consisting of a long nave, was justified by the large number of pilgrims drawn to the Freiria (in Torres Vedras) and Gradil (in Mafra) pilgrimages.
Points of interest:
- Blue and white tiles (azulejos) depicting the life of Our Lady
Largo de Nossa Senhora da Consolação, Lugar da Consolação | Atouguia da Baleia parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 19 27.3504; long. -9 21 34.1379
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Chapel of Santo Estêvão (Saint Stephen)
The Chapel of Santo Estêvão (Saint Stephen), in Baleal peninsula, is a small temple built on rock possibly in the 16th or 17th century. The facade is in popular style and inside the chapel has a single nave. Besides Saint Stephen, the church was also dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, whose statue is also linked to an interesting legend. The chapel recently underwent renovations.
Points of interest:- 17th and 18th century tiles
Baleal peninsula | Ferrel parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 22 38.5733; long. -9 20 25.6134 -
Church of S. Sebastião (Saint Sebastian)
The Church of S. Sebastião (Saint Sebastian), in mannerist style is composed of a single nave and a high choir. Inside the walls are covered in tiles depicting the life of the patron saint and in the main chapel the tile motifs illustrate the Eucharist.
The statues of Saint Sebastian, Saint Cajetan and Saint Michael pontificate at the gilded high altar. In the church’s nave there are another four smaller gilded altars in mannerist style. The nave’s ceiling is covered in wooden panels.
Points of interest:
- 18th century blue and white tiles
- The gilded high altar
Largo da Igreja, Vila de Serra d’El-Rei | Serra d’El-Rei parish
GPS coordinates: lat. 39 19 51.8340; long. -9 16 15.6966
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Church of S. José (St. Joseph)
The church of St. Joseph had as its first patron saint Our Lady of Grace. The alteration of saints happens in the beginning of the 19th century.This primitive chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Grace was built in the 15th century, being contemporary to the Convent of São Bernardino. Their funders also created the Third Order of St. Francis in Atouguia da Baleia. The temple was renovated or a new one was built in 1747. It has an octagonal plan.
Until recently, this church opened up to believers on, the 19th of March for the celebration of Mass in honor of St. Joseph. In 2004 the repairing of the church begins, including the conservation and restoration of the altarpiece and in 2012 it opens up to the public integrated in the visit to the Interpretative Centre of Atouguia da Baleia.
Elements of Interest:
- Altarpiece in woodcarving, with polychromy and gold-leaf applications; in the center the sculpture of St. Joseph , on the left side Saint Francis of Assisi and on the right side Saint Barbara.
- Octogonal Plan
St. Joseph Square, Atouguia da Baleia | Atouguia da Baleia parish
GPS Coordenates: Lat. 39 20 25.68; Long. -9 19 37.81