Igreja da Misericordia - Caminha

Construction of the Igreja da Misericórdia began in 1551 , but of the original construction only the main portal remains .

In 1695, part of the old city wall was demolished to obtain stones for the reconstruction of the church, with the aim of creating a freer view from the western loggia.

The Renaissance portal is in Plateresque style, with an arch decorated with grotesques and arabesques. On the pilasters are medallions with the busts of Saints Cosmas and Damian , which gives the portal a unique character.

During the renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries, the interior was richly decorated with woodcarvings in Baroque and Rococo style. The main altar, dated 1723, contains a retable with a representation of the Visitation and is provided with pseudo-Solomon columns and a seven-part throne expository.

The church is decorated with 17th century blue azulejos (ceramic tiles), which can be found in the choir, along the nave and in the sacristy. Some tiles appear to have been reused, which contributes to the historical layering of the interior.

In a side altar on the right side of the church is a statue of Santa Rita de Cássia , the patron saint of Caminha.

Willem Vandenameele