The Medieval Town - The Museum - The Hot Springs - The Castle - The Forts - Santa Maria Maior Church - Misericordia and Madalena - Azinheira Church - Rural Chapels - Vidago - Monforte Castle and Bolideira Rock

São João de Deus or Madalena Church

Madalena Church seen in a recent flood.

For a long time, Santa Maria Maior was the seat of the only parish in Chaves. But, in 1969 a second parish was created in the town, located on the left bank of the Tâmega River. This is called Madalena. Its seat is the Church of SãoJoão de Deus, also called Madalena Church.

This temple dates from the eighteenth century, being built during the reign of D. João VI, who maintained it. His coat of arms appears on the main door. It was originally designed as a chapel since it was built next to a military hospital. In this hospital at the end of the century there was a “School of Anatomy and Surgery of Chaves”, one of the four schools of surgery in the country.

The church includes neoclassic and baroque elements. It has a very high façade, which contrasts with the narrow and humble street it lies on. Because the narrow street makes it difficult to appreciate the grandeur of the structure you must stretch your neck to see the baroque sculptures high above.

Igreja da Misericordia

According to everyone, the most beautiful church in Chaves is the Igreja da Misericordia, located very near the Igreja Matriz, next door to the old Misericordia hospital and close to the castle.

Built in the seventeenth century this church is typically baroque. Tradition has it that it was the chapel of the Dukes of Bragança. It is a relatively small temple with four Greek columns on the façade. Halfway up we see four heads of what appear to be mythological figures, and above it all is a carving of Our Lady of Mercy—or Misericordia-- looking down on ten figures and covering them with her mantle.

The interior is totally covered with blue and white tiles from the eighteenth century, depicting figures and biblical scenes, and its wooden ceiling is painted in bright colors representing the scene of the Visitation. We know that Jeronimo Rocha Braga painted it because he signed it and put the date—1743. Lastly, the wooden altarpiece, or "retábulo" is profusely decorated with cherubs, grape bunches, and spiral shells.

Our Lady of Azinheira Church in Outeiro Seco

The Medieval Town - The Museum - The Hot Springs - The Castle - The Forts - Santa Maria Maior Church - Misericordia and Madalena - Azinheira Church - Rural Chapels - Vidago - Monforte Castle and Bolideira Rock