Description of the attraction
Church of San Lorenzo is located in a small village of the same name, which is located near Almancil. The temple is considered one of the greatest artistic treasures in the Algarve.
The first records about this church were found in the book of the parish of São João da Venda and date back to 1672. The church was consecrated in honor of Saint Lorenzo (Lawrence), who, according to legend, answered the prayers of local residents for water.
Presumably, the church was built in the first half of the 18th century, in 1730. At least during this period, the walls of the church were decorated with ceramic tiles by Polycarpo de Oliveira Bernardes, which depict scenes from the life of Saint Lorenzo: the healing of two blind men by the saints, a conversation with Sixtus II, the torment of the saint, and others. The church is surrounded by small outbuildings, next to it there is a churchyard.
The decoration of the main facade of the building is quite simple. Above the rectangular entrance there is a window decorated with pilasters on the sides. In the northern part of the church, a bell tower rises above the sacristy. The nave of the church is vaulted. An unusually beautiful panel made of azulesush tiles adorns not only the walls of the church, but also the ceiling. The presbytery is rectangular with chapels on the sides. It is believed that the gilded baroque altarpiece depicting Saint Lorenzo was made by the great sculptor and carver from the Algarve, Manuel Martinez.
