Is it possible for a building to tell a story? Oratório Santo António whispers tales of faith art and time.
Let’s delve into the history of the Igreja de Santo António Congregados also known as the Saint Anthony Church of the Gatherers. It is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. He was a Portuguese born saint. He became a Franciscan priest in the 12th century.
The Franciscans were the largest member of the Order of the Friars Minor. Saint Francis Assisi founded them. Saint Anthony eventually found his calling in Padua Italy as a missionary.
The original church stood here for centuries. This building was constructed in the late 17th century. The very popular architect Joaquim Jaime B. Ferreira-Alves designed it. It is elegant and elaborate. Its Baroque features are stunning.
The fabulous tile work is hard to miss. The famed artisans Jorge Colaço and João Baptista Ribeiro created it. The tile work tells the story of Saint Anthony. It also tells the story of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Baroque style has sharp details. It shows larger than life motion. The architectural constructions often appear to reach for the sky. Many Roman Catholic Churches throughout Europe have Baroque elements.
In 1662 a small chapel was built. It was to be the headquarters of the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony of Lisbon. This chapel was demolished in 1694. Construction of the church began in 1703. The Church of Saint Anthony as we know it today is a result of a reconstruction in the 19th century.
At the beginning of the 20th century the slabs and stained glass were added to adorn the facade. The Church is attached to the Convento da Congregação do Oratório. The facade shows a niche in the upper part with the image of Saint Anthony.
Scenes of the life of San Antonio are depicted. He is the Patron Saint of Lisbon. The scenes are on tiles on the exterior. They are also in the mural paintings in its interior.
The church was built in 1703. A chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony stood on the site before. It dated back to 1662. The chapel was destroyed some years before. It was attached to the Convent of the Congregation of the Oratory.
Acácio Lino created mural paintings during the reconstruction of the main chapel in the 19th century. Jorge Colaço created the azulejos on its facade. Robert Léone created the stained glass windows which date back to 1920.
The Casa de Santo António do Porto also known as Congregação do Oratório do Porto was founded in 1680. Father Baltazar Guedes started it five years earlier. The Câmara do Porto donated the Chapel or Hermitage of Santo António da Porta dos Carros to the Congregação de São Filipe de Neri as well as land to build the convent.
Prince D. Pedro contributed 3000 cruzados to the construction in 1683. He granted royal protection and an annual donation of 46000 reis. In 1694 the decision was made to build a larger church. The first stone was laid on August 5.
During the siege of Porto liberal troops used the church as a warehouse for war material. It also served as a hospital. All convents monasteries colleges hospices and religious houses of all religious orders were extinguished by decree of May 30 in 1834.
The goods were incorporated into the Próprios da Fazenda Nacional.
Oratório Santo António stands as a testament to faith artistic vision and historical events. Its walls echo with stories of saints artists and the city of Porto itself. Take a moment to appreciate this captivating landmark.