Câmara Municipal de Santarém - Church of Santa Clara

** Monuments ** Church of Santa Clara

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Church of Santa Clara

Gothic temple dating back to the 13th century, although as time went by its primitive aspect has been changed. lt was founded by king Afonso, the third, in 1259, the monastery of Santa Clara, nowadays only a church, has at the street-front a large rose-window surrounded by broken pillars and enclosed by two thoracic archivolts and by a fillet surmounted by the coat of arms of the reign. Inside, the church is divided in three naves separated by eight columns of ogival arches.

This temple is considered national monument and after a great reconstruction, this is what's left over the large Claristas' Monastery, whose name will be allways linked to Leonor Afonso, illigitimate daughter of king Afonso, the third, who was a nun in this convent and died with the fame of saint. Her first gothic tomb is now empty and it can be seen at the end of the church in front of another tumular arch where the remains of Leonor Afonso are kept since 1634, where can be read the following inscription:
«Sepultura da Infanta D. Leonor Afonso, filha de EI-Rei D. Afonso III, deste reino, que fundou este convento e o dotou com largas rendas e o enobreceu com sua real pessoa e virtudes. Porém trasladados os seus ossos na era de 1634».

in Octávio Mendes. Santarém Monumental.
Santarém: 1988

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