Monuments

Located within the castle walls, the Church of Our Lady of Mercy represents the medieval roots of the city. Seemingly in ruins, this is actually the deliberate result of the Romantic spirit driving its restoration at the beginning of the 20th century. Largely the work of Ernesto Korrodi, he opted for medieval revivalism.

Originally dating back to the city's conquest from the Moors by Afonso Henriques in 1135, this small church subsequently underwent renovation during the reigns of Dinis, João I (13th and 14th centuries) and by Manuel at the beginning of the 16th century. It became the Cathedral when the Diocese of Leiria was created in 1545.

Structurally, this is a Gothic building with the finishings revealing the influence of the Monastery of Batalha sculpting school.

In the main chapel, there are two arch-throned tombs. One belongs to Pedro Barba Alado, castle governor during the reign of Manuel I (1495-1521) and a member of the family that has run the castle since the reign of Afonso V (1438-81).