Igreja do Hospital de São Marcos

St. Marcus Church

Inserted in the old Hospital de S. Marcos (St. Marcus Hospital) and supervised by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Braga (Braga's Holy House of Mercy), the Igreja do Hospital de São Marcos (St. Marcus Hospital Church) was design by the architect Carlos Amarante, in 1787, but was inaugurated only in 1836. Of neoclassical style, its convex façade stands out, which combines the central temple with the two civil blocks that frame it, which gives it a remarkable sculptural and pictorial plasticity. This temple come to substitute the old edifice of the old church of the hospital, whose patron was the Holy Spirit.

The front it is topped by granite sculptures, representing the Apostles. At the centre presides the patron of the Church - São João Marcos (Saint John Marcus) - whose relics are collected inside a monumental tomb in white marble with inlays of various colours, to which they were transferred in 1718, by the initiative of the Archbishop Rodrigo de Moura Teles.

In this set, the composition and design of the windows stand out. Of different sizes and forms, in addition to giving light inside, they reveal a strong aesthetical and plastic component that dynamizes the interior space. In the façade we can see rectangular, squared and oval windows. Inside, we can also see several rectangular and squared windows and balconies in the gallery.

The architect Carlos Amarante used in this church the composite order, visible not only in the façade, where the four columns in the front stand out, but also on its interior and in the respective craved altars.

Between 2000 and 2007, the Church it was restored and requalified.

Mass time:

Monday to Friday: 15H 55

Sunday: 10H 25

Schedule visits:

cimmb.praio@scmbraga.pt | 253 206 520