Igreja Matriz de Vila Nova de Foz Côa

The Mother Church of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Nossa Senhora do Pranto, was built at the beginning of the 16th century and is classified as a National Monument. Located in Praça do Município, the Manueline façade is considered one of the most beautiful 16th century compositions in Portugal. The portico, in a full arch with five archivolts, features a portico with Renaissance figures and Manueline elements, topped by the bell tower with three bells. Inside, three naves marked by tall granite columns, which are leaning, probably due to the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, support a superb, fully decorated wooden ceiling. The chancel has exceptional Baroque decoration, based on the gilded wood carving of the high altar, where the sculptures of Our Lady of Pity and the Holy Trinity stand out, with the side altarpieces decorated with 14 paintings on wood depicting the Way of the Cross, Marian representations and the 27 coffered ceilings. Next to the triumphal arch is the altar of Our Lady of the Rosary, a 16th century Portuguese sculpture in polychrome Ançã stone, and the altar of Our Lady of Grace, a sculpture from the mid-19th century.