Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Next door is the chapel of bones

Relatively small church in the center of Alcantarilha. Welcoming

On the way from west to east, on the N 125, a chapel, visible from afar, attracted attention in the small town of Alcantarilha, in the municipality of Silves. Churches are always interesting, from the architecture, history and equipment, went through my head. A detour, combined with a little break, was scheduled. After some outside photos of the chapel, I came across a sign saying "Capella dos Ossos". Curious, I went in the direction of the ad. At the side aisle of the church was the entrance to the Bone Chapel. Separated and secured by an iron grid, the piled skulls and bones could be seen. Thoughtful about the contents of the room and with awe some photos were shot, including the tiles in front of the door. The detour to the 16th century chapel was an enrichment to my stay and recommended for imitation.

The parish church of Alcantarilha, of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, built in the 16th century, is the main monument of the village, classified as a Public Interest Building. On the high altar is the image of the Patron Saint, which stands out in the temple's interesting collection of sacred art. The wooden image of Our Lady of the Conception, carved in the eighteenth century by an unknown author, measures 115 cm by 47 cm. This representative image of Santa Maria, crowned, is quite extraordinary. It has in its eyes a profound expression of dialogue with the Beyond; a lively look, an enigmatic smile, his face raised but his head slightly tilted to the left: the place of His Immaculate Heart. The expression on the face is overwhelming: thaumaturge and metaphysical but human. The artist has been able to give Him an air of purity and divinity that envelops the environment like a strange light aided by the baroque gilded altar carving that serves as a backdrop. There is, like Others, the Boy in his arms; hands join in humble act of prayer. The light is accentuated on the white of the dress, dazzling the blue robe, embellished with floral motifs, with the pink lining that protrudes in the fold over her left arm, descending - with the dress - over the half moon under her feet and three raised heads of plump angels who seem to follow Our Lady's gaze, as if glimpsing the presence of God, without fear of the serpent that coils around their necks. The tower of the church can be seen among the narrow streets of Alcantarilha. Built in 1848, it is collected in the facade, to the right of the observer. It has four bells: the largest has a cross, the image and the name of Our Lady of Conception; says it was made in Lisbon by António Manuel Santareno, "at the Rva Avgvsta factory in the year 1847". The second is new, from 1937; presents a cross and a custody. The third has the image of Our Lady of Carmel; was made in Lisbon by José Domingues da Costa in 1795. The room has a cross.

Beautiful well maintained church, with a gilded altar and several religious figures inside. Don't forget the adjacent bone chapel.