Church of Graça

The Church of Graça is a Gothic church in the historic centre of Santarém, begun in 1380 for the Augustinian friars with the support of João Afonso Telo de Meneses, the first Count of Ourém, and his wife Guiomar de Vilalobos. The navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral, who reached Brazil in 1500, is buried in the church with his wife, Isabel de Castro.

The church is classified as a National Monument since 1910.

What to see at the Church of Graça

Façade: a Flamboyant Gothic portal under a large rose window, in the style of the Monastery of Batalha, built in the first half of the 15th century.
Nave: three tall naves divided by pointed arches on columns with carved capitals, and a chancel with three chapels.
Tomb of Pedro de Meneses: the tomb of the first governor of Ceuta and his wife Beatriz Coutinho, in the right arm of the transept, resting on eight lions, with the two figures lying hand in hand.
Tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral: the grave of the navigator and his wife, in a chapel on the south side of the chancel.

History of the Church of Graça

1376: Augustinian friars from Lisbon settle in Santarém.
1380: work on the church begins with the patronage of the first Counts of Ourém.
First half of the 15th century: the church is completed, after delays caused by lack of money and by the fortunes of the founding family.
1597: the convent cloister is built to a design by António Dias.
1834: the religious orders are dissolved and the convent is put to other uses.
1910: the church is classified as a National Monument.
About 1950: a restoration removes later additions to bring back the Gothic building.

Visiting the Church of Graça

Location: the church faces Largo Pedro Álvares Cabral, also called Largo da Graça, where a statue of the navigator stands.
Nearby: the Church of Marvila stands a short walk to the north.