It is located in Largo da Infantaria, city of Covilhã, district of Castelo Branco, in the province of Beira Baixa, Centro region and sub-region of Beiras and Serra da Estrela
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, belonging to the disappeared Convent of São Francisco built in the 17th century. XVI, maintains the original portal in late Gothic style, the facade reveals baroque and revivalist changes made throughout its history.
In the century. In the 19th century, with the dissolution of the convent, the space was converted into a wool factory, with only the church remaining open for worship.
In the century. In the 19th century, with the dissolution of the convent, the space was converted into a wool factory, with only the church remaining open for worship.
Characteristics of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição - São Francisco
In this place there was the old Franciscan Convent of which only the church with a Latin cross plan remains with a very prominent transept revealing the structure of the medieval building from which the axial portal remains and on the right side facade of the nave a cornice supported by a corbel with geometric and vegetal elements.
The church preserves the side walls, two arched portals and the main portico and the tomb chapels of Pedro Álvares Cabral's family inside this temple from its original construction.
The church has star vaults based on highly decorated corbels built in a revivalist style in the 20th century like the high choir.
In the 19th century, the main façade had a baroque finish with a cut back and openings with profiles similar to the portal, leading to the appearance of a fake window in the bell tower.
The church has a nave, a projecting transept and a shallow chancel, with additions to the square-shaped bell tower on the main façade, the sacristy at the head and an annex building on the north side with horizontally arranged masses and articulated volumes with a homogeneous four-pitched roof in the church and differentiated three-pitched roofs in the remaining bodies and topped with simple edges, with the bell tower finished in a bulbous coruch.
The plastered and white-painted facades, except for part of the rear facade of the chancel and the south arm of the transept in exposed granite stonework in an isodome device, are covered by a stonework basement flanked by corners in the same material and topped with cornices.
The main facade facing northwest is finished with a frieze and cornice on which there is a cut-out back flanked by stonework pillars that support urns and fires, and a cornice interrupted by a parallelepiped plinth topped by a sphere and a Latin cross with the stems ending in a button, in the center a pointed arch niche with a stonework frame containing the image of the patron saint.
On the left side there is a 33m bell tower. in height, evolving into three registers separated by a frieze and cornice, the last forming an angle, with the first tombstone with inscription and mock window, granite stonework and a pointed arch, the second is blind, with the third having four windows in a round arch resting on projecting imposts and with stonework moldings finished in a frieze, cornice and balustrade with lateral cushioned plinths topped by fusiform pinnacles and having a circular clock central on the main face.
The church preserves the side walls, two arched portals and the main portico and the tomb chapels of Pedro Álvares Cabral's family inside this temple from its original construction.
The church has star vaults based on highly decorated corbels built in a revivalist style in the 20th century like the high choir.
In the 19th century, the main façade had a baroque finish with a cut back and openings with profiles similar to the portal, leading to the appearance of a fake window in the bell tower.
The church has a nave, a projecting transept and a shallow chancel, with additions to the square-shaped bell tower on the main façade, the sacristy at the head and an annex building on the north side with horizontally arranged masses and articulated volumes with a homogeneous four-pitched roof in the church and differentiated three-pitched roofs in the remaining bodies and topped with simple edges, with the bell tower finished in a bulbous coruch.
The plastered and white-painted facades, except for part of the rear facade of the chancel and the south arm of the transept in exposed granite stonework in an isodome device, are covered by a stonework basement flanked by corners in the same material and topped with cornices.
The main facade facing northwest is finished with a frieze and cornice on which there is a cut-out back flanked by stonework pillars that support urns and fires, and a cornice interrupted by a parallelepiped plinth topped by a sphere and a Latin cross with the stems ending in a button, in the center a pointed arch niche with a stonework frame containing the image of the patron saint.
On the left side there is a 33m bell tower. in height, evolving into three registers separated by a frieze and cornice, the last forming an angle, with the first tombstone with inscription and mock window, granite stonework and a pointed arch, the second is blind, with the third having four windows in a round arch resting on projecting imposts and with stonework moldings finished in a frieze, cornice and balustrade with lateral cushioned plinths topped by fusiform pinnacles and having a circular clock central on the main face.
Interior of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição - São Francisco
The interior is marked by a stonework endo narthex with a groin vault roof and access to the interior through three pointed arches with stonework moldings and two wooden leaves with hammered and painted glass.
The nave is made of exposed granite stonework divided into three sections marked by round arches with four-pointed star vaulted roofs forming a central polygon supported by decorated corbels and a wooden floor.
The High Choir in stonework rests on a depressed arch on pillars and two columns with a smooth shaft and has two small balconies protruding in a fan shape supported by ribbed horns based on corbels decorated with spheres and braiding.
The ceiling of the sub-choir has a star-vaulted roof, with a round arch on the Gospel side resting on Tuscan pilasters corresponding to the baptistry located at the base of the bell tower with access protected by a metal grille and the interior in stonework with a barrel-vaulted roof and containing the baptismal font.
On the same side, the quadrangular pulpit rests on a corbel and voluted basin with a full guard decorated with an oval cartouche and festoons with access through a straight lintel door, from the attached body.
The transept crossing has a four-pointed star vault forming central polygons, with similar coverings supported on decorated corbels appearing on the arms.
At the top, the tomb chapels of the Castro are accessed through full arches, both integrating two double arcosoliums with recumbent statues and two full arches with a polylobed soffit and decorated by fleurs-de-lis, forming a conopial arch topped with a cogulet above, framing a shield with the Castro weapons.
On the Epistle side, the bocete presents the shield with thirteen besantes of Fernando de Castro, husband of Isabel de Castro, on the opposite side the bocete presents the broken shield with five stars and four besantes on the sinister flank, coat of arms of Joana de Castro, on the S side is the tomb of Jorge Cabral in an ark decorated with zoomorphic motifs in high relief.
On the sides of the arms of the transept, altarpiece chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Gospel) and Saint Francis (Epistle). Triumphal arch with a pointed profile, bent and based on two pillars giving access to the main chapel raised by three steps next to these two ambos, the one with the Gospel in painted carving and the opposite wooden one has a coffered roof with gilded carved frames and rosettes in the connecting elements with paintings representing attributes of the Passion of Christ and a granite slab floor covered with red carpet.
On the three-step pedestal, the gilded altar table rests on three twisted columns and on another three steps the gilded main altarpiece with a concave body with three axes divided by six twisted columns, decorated with domes and resting on consoles that extend over the cornice in three twisted archivolts, the interior separated by phytomorphic panels joined in the direction of the radius and having on the closure the arms of the Order of Saint Francis constituting the attic.
In the center, a wide tribune with a perfect round, with a lace mouth and a paneled bottom and a semi-domed roof which includes a five-step throne with the image of the patron saint and a parallelepiped Altar, paneled topped by a tabernacle with two twisted columns and a bulbous dome roof.
On the Gospel side, there is a wide plastered and white-painted corridor with geometric pattern tile ashlars, with tiled floors and a wooden ceiling that connects to the parish facilities and a small concert hall.
Inside, visitors can admire the four-pointed star vault and the side chapels from the 17th century. XVI belonging to the family of Rodrigo de Castro to which the Mayor of Belmonte belonged.
In the main chapel, the roof is made of coffers where you can see paintings alluding to the life of Christ, the gilded panels that cover the walls highlight the image of Saint Francis.
The nave is made of exposed granite stonework divided into three sections marked by round arches with four-pointed star vaulted roofs forming a central polygon supported by decorated corbels and a wooden floor.
The High Choir in stonework rests on a depressed arch on pillars and two columns with a smooth shaft and has two small balconies protruding in a fan shape supported by ribbed horns based on corbels decorated with spheres and braiding.
The ceiling of the sub-choir has a star-vaulted roof, with a round arch on the Gospel side resting on Tuscan pilasters corresponding to the baptistry located at the base of the bell tower with access protected by a metal grille and the interior in stonework with a barrel-vaulted roof and containing the baptismal font.
On the same side, the quadrangular pulpit rests on a corbel and voluted basin with a full guard decorated with an oval cartouche and festoons with access through a straight lintel door, from the attached body.
The transept crossing has a four-pointed star vault forming central polygons, with similar coverings supported on decorated corbels appearing on the arms.
At the top, the tomb chapels of the Castro are accessed through full arches, both integrating two double arcosoliums with recumbent statues and two full arches with a polylobed soffit and decorated by fleurs-de-lis, forming a conopial arch topped with a cogulet above, framing a shield with the Castro weapons.
On the Epistle side, the bocete presents the shield with thirteen besantes of Fernando de Castro, husband of Isabel de Castro, on the opposite side the bocete presents the broken shield with five stars and four besantes on the sinister flank, coat of arms of Joana de Castro, on the S side is the tomb of Jorge Cabral in an ark decorated with zoomorphic motifs in high relief.
On the sides of the arms of the transept, altarpiece chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Gospel) and Saint Francis (Epistle). Triumphal arch with a pointed profile, bent and based on two pillars giving access to the main chapel raised by three steps next to these two ambos, the one with the Gospel in painted carving and the opposite wooden one has a coffered roof with gilded carved frames and rosettes in the connecting elements with paintings representing attributes of the Passion of Christ and a granite slab floor covered with red carpet.
On the three-step pedestal, the gilded altar table rests on three twisted columns and on another three steps the gilded main altarpiece with a concave body with three axes divided by six twisted columns, decorated with domes and resting on consoles that extend over the cornice in three twisted archivolts, the interior separated by phytomorphic panels joined in the direction of the radius and having on the closure the arms of the Order of Saint Francis constituting the attic.
In the center, a wide tribune with a perfect round, with a lace mouth and a paneled bottom and a semi-domed roof which includes a five-step throne with the image of the patron saint and a parallelepiped Altar, paneled topped by a tabernacle with two twisted columns and a bulbous dome roof.
On the Gospel side, there is a wide plastered and white-painted corridor with geometric pattern tile ashlars, with tiled floors and a wooden ceiling that connects to the parish facilities and a small concert hall.
Inside, visitors can admire the four-pointed star vault and the side chapels from the 17th century. XVI belonging to the family of Rodrigo de Castro to which the Mayor of Belmonte belonged.
In the main chapel, the roof is made of coffers where you can see paintings alluding to the life of Christ, the gilded panels that cover the walls highlight the image of Saint Francis.
