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Matriz Church Mertola

History

The Matriz Church of Mertola is situated at Rua Elias Garcia. It is also known as Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciacao. This building was originally a mosque built between 12th and 13th centuries. After the Christian conquest of the town, in 1238, the mosque was turned into a church. The decorations above the walls of this church are similar to those ones in the Great Mosque of Cordoba. The bell tower of this church was once a minaret of the mosque. Later, church bells were added at the top of the old minaret. 

A cross at Rua Elias Garcia, which leads to the Matriz Chruch of Mertola
A cross at Rua Elias Garcia, which leads to the Matriz Chruch of Mertola
When I arrived at the door of the church, it was still closed
When I arrived at the door of the church, it was still closed
Exterior of the Matriz Church
Exterior of the Matriz Church
A sign at the wall next to the main door shows the mehrab of the old mosque
A sign at the wall next to the main door shows the mehrab of the old mosque
A wonderful view of the Mertola Castle, sitting above the town
A wonderful view of the Mertola Castle, sitting above the town
Looking downwards at Mertola town with the River Guadiana in the background
Mertola town seen from the Matriz Church
Mertola town seen from the Matriz Church
Looking back at the path where Rua Doutor Manuel Francisco Gomes and Rua Elias Garcia meet
Looking back at the path where Rua Doutor Manuel Francisco Gomes and Rua Elias Garcia meet
Unusual decorations at the top of the church
Unusual decorations at the top of the church
These decorations resemble to those ones in the Great Mosque of Cordoba
These decorations resemble to those ones in the Great Mosque of Cordoba
Tower of this church was once a minaret of the Almohad mosque
Tower of this church was once a minaret of the Almohad mosque
Bottom of the old minaret - Matriz Church Mertola
Bottom of the old minaret - Matriz Church Mertola
Church bells at the top of the minaret
Church bells at the top of the minaret
One of the side walls of the old mosque
One of the side walls of the old mosque
A small horseshoe shape door in the walls of the church

Entrance and Interior

In contrast to the vaults and the external pinnacles from the Mudejar to the last Gothic. The main door of the church follows the models of the Italian Renaissance. This church is the only surviving mosque from the Reconquest in Portugal. Various types of figures are carved in the Gothic portal (main entrance) of the church. Inside the church, there are two capitals used from the Almohad mosque. The inner arrangement of the naves of the church, with four naves and several columns creates a forest full of beauty.

Main entrance of the church is designed in Renaissance style
Main entrance of the church is designed in Renaissance style
Details of the Gothic portal (main entrance) of the church
Details of the Gothic portal (main entrance) of the church
Italian Renaissance style on the main door of the Matriz Church of Mertola
Italian Renaissance style on the main door of the Matriz Church of Mertola
Ceiling of the Matriz Church Mertola
Whitewashed ceiling of the church
Whitewashed ceiling of the church
A small capital like structure added to the walls of the church
A small capital like structure added to the walls of the church
This old mosque is the only one in Portugal which have survived to this day
This old mosque is the only one in Portugal which have survived to this day
Two capitals in the foreground are from the Muslim mosque
Two capitals in the foreground are from the Muslim mosque
One of the two capitals used from the Almohad mosque
One of the two capitals used from the Almohad mosque
Ceiling of the church seen from inside
Ceiling of the church seen from inside

Mehrab

A horseshoe arch inside the church is unmistakably Islamic in style. Probably it had survived the architectural changes. The main altar of the church is placed in front of the mehrab. Surprisingly, the mehrab of the mosque has survived to this day. At the top of the mehrab, cement is used to give the look of a mehrab but middle parts are covered with plaster. The plaster on the mehrab is in bad shape but it still retains its original look. The bottom of the mehrab was dug up (probably, for the renovation work).

An Islamic style horseshoe arch - Matriz Church Mertola
An Islamic style horseshoe arch - Matriz Church Mertola
Looking at the ceiling of the church from the horseshoe arch
Looking at the ceiling of the church from the horseshoe arch
Mehrab is behind the main altar of the church
Surprisingly, the mehrab of the mosuqe has survived to this day
Surprisingly, the mehrab of the mosuqe has survived to this day
Upper section of the mehrab - Matriz Church Mertola
Upper section of the mehrab - Matriz Church Mertola
Middle section of the mehrab
Middle section of the mehrab
Bricks sitting at the bottom of the mehrab
Bricks sitting at the bottom of the mehrab
Old floral motifs and pillars next to the mehrab - Matriz Church Mertola
Old floral motifs and pillars next to the mehrab - Matriz Church Mertola
Above the decorative mehrab, cement is used to give the look of a mehrab
Above the decorative mehrab, cement is used to give the look of a mehrab
This section of the mehrab is better preserved

A new roof and main portal in Renaissance style was added but interior resemble strongly to a mosque. In front of the church, many grave stones are laid probably they were brought from inside the church. A road goes up from this church to the Castle of Mertola. At the top of the road, one can have some amazing view of this church and building becomes more apparent that once it was a mosque.

Looking back at th entrance door from the opposite side of the church
Looking back at th entrance door from the opposite side of the church
A bowl like structure holds the holy water
Grave stones at the front of the Matriz Church of Mertola
Grave stones at the front of the Matriz Church of Mertola
Maybe, these grave stones once were inside the church
A side view of the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação Mertola
A side view of the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação Mertola
A wonderful view of the Matriz church, taken while standing in from of the Mertola Castle
A wonderful view of the Matriz church, taken while standing in from of the Mertola Castle
This photos gives a better idea how this church once was a mosque
This photos gives a better idea how this church once was a mosque