Sé Catedral de Silves
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The former cathedral of Silves ( Portuguese Sé Catedral de Silves ), consecrated to the Conception of Mary ( Portuguese Nossa Senhora da Conceição ), was the episcopal church of the city of Silves from the 13th century until the transfer of the diocese of the Algarve in southern Portugal to Faro in 1577 . The church is the oldest evidence of Gothic architecture in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, which was occupied for a long time by the Arabs and Moors .
location
The church is located on a hill above the Rio Arade in the immediate vicinity of the castle of Silves at a height of approx. 35 m .
history
Immediately after the reconquest ( reconquista ) of Silves in 1189 a bishopric was founded, but the construction of a new cathedral began in the 13th century during the reign of King Afonso III. (reg. 1248-1279). Further alterations and extensions followed - even after the bishopric was moved to Faro and especially after the Lisbon earthquake in 1755 - the baroque south portal (Puerta del Sol) , which is mostly used as an entrance today, dates from 1781.
architecture
The oldest part of the church is the three-apse Gothic choir , built entirely from precisely hewn natural stone . The later additions - with the exception of the high Gothic archivolt portal and the corner stones of the bell tower (torre siniera) - are made of rubble stones and were therefore plastered. The choir, stabilized by buttresses , has a crenellated wreath and several two-lane tracery windows - the oldest in the south of the Iberian Peninsula .
The interior of the church has three naves and a transept . While choral and Vierungsbereich rib arched are that are nave and the slightly lower side aisles spanned by trapezoidal wooden ceilings.
Furnishing
The furnishings include several floor graves and sarcophagi of crusaders . There is also an octagonal baptismal font , but only a few carved altars.
See also
Web links
- Ex-Cathedral of Silves - photo + information
- Ex-Cathedral of Silves - Photos + Info (monument, Portuguese)
Coordinates: 37 ° 11 ′ 24 ″ N , 8 ° 26 ′ 19 ″ W.