Igreja Matrriz de Tendais – Santa Cristina de Bolsena

Why is the Igreja Matriz de Tendais also called Santa Cristina de Bolsena? The Igreja Matriz de Tendais is a testament to faith and history. This beautiful baroque church, dedicated to Santa Cristina de Bolsena, stands as a landmark in the parish of Tendais. Its story begins long before the current structure, hinting at a past reaching back to at least 1109. However, the church we see today rose from the foundations of an older, possibly medieval building in 1767. This period, under the governance of the Marquis of Pombal, saw a surge in architectural projects, and the Igreja Matriz de Tendais is a beautiful example of late Portuguese Baroque style. Its single nave design culminates in a central bell tower, a striking feature that dominates the facade. Inside, the church houses four altars besides the main altar, two flanking the central space and two more along the sides. Look up and you’ll see the ceiling adorned with a depiction of the Last Supper, a detail that speaks to the church’s dedication to its faith. The feast day of Santa Cristina de Bolsena, celebrated every 29th of June, transforms the Igreja Matriz de Tendais into a site of pilgrimage, drawing the faithful to its doors. The current church, while a marvel in itself, replaced an older chapel. This previous structure was likely built with materials and labor provided by the surrounding villages of Casais, Sá, and Meridãos, a testament to the community spirit that thrived in the 18th century.