Igreja Matriz (Porches)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Igreja Matriz (Porches), (Principal Church of Porches) is situated in the freguesia of Porches, in the concelho of Lagoa (Algarve) in Portugal.

Founded in the 16th century, today the church has few vestiages of its early roots. Only the chancel of the original church, ruined by the 1755 Earthquake rmains, incorporated into the present church, and even this was changed during the remodeling of 1882.

The exterior is a prime example of southern Portugal church architecture, with a sober west-facing façade. The interior is notable for the chancel, dedicated to Our Lady of the Incarnation, with ribbed vaulting, and faced with tiles from the 17th century; and an 18th-century altar-piece of gilded carved wood with several images.