Igreja da Misericórdia de Braga

The Church of Mercy of Braga

The Misericórdia Church appears in some plans of the Cathedral as an annex, but in fact it constitutes a distinct monument. It is a temple built in 1562, but much modified in the 19th century. XVIII.

Of sober ornamentation, it still preserves good examples of Renaissance architecture, namely the façade and the side portal that presents, in the upper part, a scene of the "Visitation", a quality work of the 16th century sculpture school of Coimbra.

Inside, it is worth noting the baroque carved altarpiece and the painted wooden ceiling covering. The altarpiece was executed by Marcelino de Araújo, between 1734 and 1739, and includes a panel painted by José Lopes, in 1735. Although it has a religious theme, it has courtly characteristics, representing several family members of D. João V, the Queen and her children. .

On the high altar, we can still see an image of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia, a work by the sculptor José António Gonçalves dated 1774.

This 16th century church is Braga's most important legacy of the renaissance period.