Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Elvas

Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral is a Catholic church standing in Republic Square in Elvas. The building displays a fortress-like design with a strong bell tower, angled crenellations, and carved stone details adorning its main entrance.

Construction began in 1517 under Francisco de Arruda and replaced the older church of Santa Maria dos Acougues. The building gained cathedral status when Pope Pius V granted this elevation in 1570.

The cathedral holds hand-painted glazed tiles from the early 17th century that cover parts of its interior walls and floors. These ceramics reflect Portuguese craftsmanship and remain visible to anyone walking through the building today.

The cathedral welcomes visitors daily, and guided tours are available to learn about its architectural features and religious objects. Arriving in the morning helps you see the stone details more clearly and avoid larger crowds.

The choir holds a remarkable organ commissioned in 1762 by Bishop Lencastre and hand-built by Italian organ maker Pasqual Caetano Oldoni over many years with careful attention to detail. The instrument remains playable today and stands as an example of 18th-century craftsmanship.

Location: Assunção, Ajuda, Salvador e Santo Ildefonso

Inception: 1517

Architects: Francisco de Arruda

Architectural style: Manueline

GPS coordinates: 38.88100,-7.16390

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:41