Igreja Matriz São Brás Alportel

The Main Church of São Brás de Alportel, dating back to the 15th century, features three naves, neoclassical altarpieces, and valuable 17th-century sculptures and paintings. A key landmark of the Algarve’s religious heritage.

The Main Church of São Brás de Alportel has roots dating back to the 15th century, although the first documented reference appears in 1518, noting that the local community had “rebuilt it anew.” Its reconstruction in 1554 gave it the structure still visible today, with three naves separated by Tuscan columns.

Over the centuries, the church underwent several transformations. Following the damage caused by the 1755 earthquake, major restoration works were carried out in 1799 and 1875, reshaping the main façade, adding a transept, and renovating the chancel.

Inside, visitors can admire neoclassical altarpieces in the main chapel and baptistery — the latter made of marble, an uncommon material in the region — as well as the rocaille altarpiece in the Chapel of Senhor dos Passos. The church also houses valuable 17th-century paintings and sculptures, including representations of Archangel Michael, Saint Liborius, and Saint Eulália.

The late Baroque façade features a noble portal and a striking pediment enriched with elements such as funerary urns. Surrounded by terraced gardens, the church offers a peaceful setting for reflection and a deeper appreciation of the religious and cultural heritage of São Brás de Alportel.