Museum of Sacred Art & Igreja da Misericórdia Aljezur

Aljezur has four small museums that can be visited on a combined ticket. These are Aljezur Municipal Museum, The Sacred Art Museum, St. Anthony's Museum, and the House of José Cercas (Casa Museu Pintor José Cercas).

Museum of Sacred Art

The Museum of Sacred Art (Museu de Arte Sacra) is adjacent to the Igreja da Misericórdia, up the hill from the Municipal Museum. The church was first built in the 16th century but was damaged in the 1755 earthquake and subsequently rebuilt in the 18th century. Above the Renaissance doorway the date of the church's initial construction, 1577, can still be seen. The church has a single nave and a simple triumphal arch.

The museum behind the church was once a home for the elderly (Hospital da Misericórdia). It now contains the collection of religious art donated by locally-born Monsignor Canon Manuel Francisco Pardal (1896-1979). The articles on display are contained in displays cases central to the sacred year of the Catholic Church: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Ordinary Time etc.

Museu de Arte Sacra

Exhibits include paintings, sculptures, and other religious artifacts from the Igreja da Misericórdia and other churches in the area.

Access - Getting There

Museum of Sacred Art (Museu de Arte Sacra)
Rua João de Deus
Aljezur, Algarve 8670-078
Tel: 282 991 011

Igreja da Misericórdia Aljezur

Opening hours are June-September 9 am - 1 pm; 2 pm - 6 pm; October-May 9 am - 1 pm; 2 pm - 5 pm. The museum is closed on weekends and public holidays.

From the Mercado Municipal where buses to Lisbon and Lagos stop, walk over the river and turn right and walk up the hill. Turn left at the Municipal Museum and walk up Rua S. João de Deus. The church is ahead of you at the end of the street.

Read more on museums in the Algarve and museums in Lisbon.