Igreja da Graça
Igreja da Graça
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
127 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
49
Average
12
Poor
2
Terrible
0
RafikiLondon
Hong Kong, China523 contributions
Nov 2021
This is a remarkable simple yet beautiful gothic-style church compared to most others in Santarem. The church is most famous for the tomb of Alvarez Cabral the "discoverer of Brazil" and people may have mixed or different opinions on what that means. However the church itself is the centrepiece, a piece of the medieval before the European encounters with the "New World" whose riches transformed so many other churches. The church also represents the return to Christianity following the Moorish period in Portugal. Well worth a visit.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bertie1224
Northamptonshire, UK1,438 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Stumbled across this building. Unassuming on the outside. Initially not overwhelming inside. €5 to enter. However there is a view terrace. Upon getting to the top of the stairs you are offered a complimentary tipple. Red, white and Rosé wine. Even fizz and non alcoholic. The narrow space to the final viewing slot is tight then you are right by the bell. Wonderful views and a first class view of the bell being rung. There is a mezzanine that looks down to the main church. Definitely recommend.
Written 28 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FSR1977
Maidstone, UK177 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
The person who posted the previous review quite clearly does not have a clue about this church and its relevance.
I've been to this church many times, as I grew up in Santarém. This is my favourite church in the whole world.
Igreja da Graça (officially known as Igreja de Santa Maria da Graça) is a magnificent church and it is held to be the purest example of Portuguese Gothic architecture in the country. It is right in the middle of the historic centre of Santarém and is a must-see when in Santarém.
It has the largest gothic rose window of its type in Europe, carved out of a single stone. Take a look at my photos and you'll see it.
The church dates from the end of the 15th century. The restoration undertaken in the 1950s eliminated all of the traces of development of the church later than 1500, so what you have here is a unique insight into a late 15th century church. It is largely undecorated and unornamented inside, with whitewashed walls. Interestingly and unusually, the nave of the church is below ground level, so you descend a flight of steps to enter the church.
It contains the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil. It is debatable if any of his remains are in the tomb. You will also find a stature to the great discoverer right outside the church.
It also contains the magnificent tomb of D. Pedro de Menezes, who was once the Portuguese governor of the colonial province of Ceuta. It is an intricately carved limescale tomb of him and his wife.
Any visit to Santarém would be incomplete without a stop-off at this magnificent church.
I've been to this church many times, as I grew up in Santarém. This is my favourite church in the whole world.
Igreja da Graça (officially known as Igreja de Santa Maria da Graça) is a magnificent church and it is held to be the purest example of Portuguese Gothic architecture in the country. It is right in the middle of the historic centre of Santarém and is a must-see when in Santarém.
It has the largest gothic rose window of its type in Europe, carved out of a single stone. Take a look at my photos and you'll see it.
The church dates from the end of the 15th century. The restoration undertaken in the 1950s eliminated all of the traces of development of the church later than 1500, so what you have here is a unique insight into a late 15th century church. It is largely undecorated and unornamented inside, with whitewashed walls. Interestingly and unusually, the nave of the church is below ground level, so you descend a flight of steps to enter the church.
It contains the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil. It is debatable if any of his remains are in the tomb. You will also find a stature to the great discoverer right outside the church.
It also contains the magnificent tomb of D. Pedro de Menezes, who was once the Portuguese governor of the colonial province of Ceuta. It is an intricately carved limescale tomb of him and his wife.
Any visit to Santarém would be incomplete without a stop-off at this magnificent church.
Written 13 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renuka R
Fiji118 contributions
Sept 2019
This is a huge church with Gothic architecture. Many important people are buried there. The church welcomes visitors to see the burial sites of important people who shaped Portuguese history.
Written 25 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruy F
London, UK34 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
This temple is a must-see!
It was almost demolished inside (like Santa Clara church, another must-see in Santarém) in an attempt of seeking Gothic purity. As a result, it does not feel like a church (pretty much the same can be said about Batalha, another contemporary church).
Graça has a plus: from the door, you go down into an underground space. Therefore, from the pirtal you have a unique plunging view into a vast gothic church. Vast and profusely lighted by ample windows.
The inpression is typical of a Mendicant Gothic church (Santarém being the World Capital of Mendicant Gothic with São Francisco convent, Sta. Clara and N.S. da Graça). Austere, yet welcoming, all white stone and whiter walls, alight in pure sunlight, Graça is truly a soace where the Spirit dwells.
The tourist will find in a side chapel two very fine tombs, XVIth Century masonry. The Brasilian patriot and the pious Portuguese can visit the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral, next to the main altar.
Outside, the beautiful rosace and the elaborately chiseled tympanum are Flaming Gothic yet sober, measured and supremely dignified.
We locals marry our daughters there. No greater conpliment coukd we pay to the gorgeous temple or to its Patron, our Lady of Graces, the Mother of God and our loving Heavenly Mother.
It was almost demolished inside (like Santa Clara church, another must-see in Santarém) in an attempt of seeking Gothic purity. As a result, it does not feel like a church (pretty much the same can be said about Batalha, another contemporary church).
Graça has a plus: from the door, you go down into an underground space. Therefore, from the pirtal you have a unique plunging view into a vast gothic church. Vast and profusely lighted by ample windows.
The inpression is typical of a Mendicant Gothic church (Santarém being the World Capital of Mendicant Gothic with São Francisco convent, Sta. Clara and N.S. da Graça). Austere, yet welcoming, all white stone and whiter walls, alight in pure sunlight, Graça is truly a soace where the Spirit dwells.
The tourist will find in a side chapel two very fine tombs, XVIth Century masonry. The Brasilian patriot and the pious Portuguese can visit the tomb of Pedro Álvares Cabral, next to the main altar.
Outside, the beautiful rosace and the elaborately chiseled tympanum are Flaming Gothic yet sober, measured and supremely dignified.
We locals marry our daughters there. No greater conpliment coukd we pay to the gorgeous temple or to its Patron, our Lady of Graces, the Mother of God and our loving Heavenly Mother.
Written 8 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miguel B
Santarem, Portugal68 contributions
Nov 2013 • Family
Igreja da Graça is a church in Santarém. It is classified as a National Monument.
It is one of the unique church that for enter, you must walk down some foot steps. This is almost unique.
Many noble people are buried here like D. Pedro de Menezes and D. Beatriz Coutinho and the world known Pedro Álvares Cabral, portuguese navigator that found first the Brasil in the year 1500 !
Must visit place !
It is one of the unique church that for enter, you must walk down some foot steps. This is almost unique.
Many noble people are buried here like D. Pedro de Menezes and D. Beatriz Coutinho and the world known Pedro Álvares Cabral, portuguese navigator that found first the Brasil in the year 1500 !
Must visit place !
Written 9 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,570 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
An extremely beautiful gothic church, dating from the 14th/15th centuries, and an important part of the Brazilian history. It is official name is "Igreja de Santa Maria da Graça", but it is also known as "Igreja de Santo Agostinho", or more commonly as "Igreja da Graça". Here lies the tomb of D. Pedro Álvares Cabral (and supposedly of his remains), the brave Portuguese navigator that on April 22nd, 1500, discovered Brazil. Visiting this church can be quite thrilling to all those born in Brazil and that love their country. Much has been already written about this church and I strongly recommend you reading a previous review by FSR1977 - "Magnificent and unique church" - a complete and perfect description of this impressive Portuguese National Monument. A landmark for two countries. Enjoy!
Written 30 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa M
Santarem, Portugal60 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
In my opinion, the prettiest church in Santarém. It's a very wide Gothic church, where one can visit the tomb of the famous discoverer of Brazil Pedro Álvares Cabral, as well as other tombs of important noble people.
Take notice of the beautiful rose window carved from a single stone.
Take notice of the beautiful rose window carved from a single stone.
Written 25 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoneColumbus
Columbus, Ohio229 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
The church itself is a bit plain, inside and out, but it does contain the grave of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brasil. That is what I went inside to see. There are about a half dozen significant looking graves inside. I read all the placard's for each grave, but could not find Alvares' grave. There was a lady in the church (who I am fairly certain was not a nun) sitting behind a desk. I asked her in Portuguese where the grave was. She acted like the question was the dumbest thing she ever heard in her life. She waived her hand in a general kind of way toward the front of the church and snarled in Portuguese "Straight ahead! Straight ahead!" There were several graves at the front of the church and I had already read the signs on all of them. But, I went up and looked again and still did not see it. I went back and asked again, and got the same response. I never did find it. If they put her there to be helpful, she was not.
Written 18 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas Ozbun
Vicenza, Italy982 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
No wonder Santarem is considered as the Gothic capital of Portugal. Having several churches and most of which are in the Gothic style, the Igreja da Graça has a beautiful portal, and as typical in that era and style it is unadorned inside apart from a splendid 15th century tomb of D. Pedro de Menezes and the famous tomb of Cabral discoverer of Brazil.
Written 15 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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