Monuments

The extraordinarily named Portuguese saints Próculo and Hilarião gave their names to the square where the gothic church of St. Mary´s is to be found.

Externally, there is the bell tower set apart from the main body of the church. It is still possible to make out the remains of a cylindrical base. This leads to the conclusion that the Christian church was built on the site of an Islamic mosque after the winds of fortune had changed on the Iberian peninsular. The attractive Mannerist door is set off by two columns capped by statues of the saints Peter and Paul.

Inside, the three arched naves feature decorated columns leading through to the main altar covered by 17th century tiles. This was the pantheon of the Mello family and is the resting place of Guiomar de Melo, who was maid of honour to Emperor Carlos V and nursemaid to Filipe II. The ceiling of the central nave is decorated with an 18th century painting of great beauty.

The 18th century saw the gothic architectural austerity give way to the exuberance of the Baroque gold engraving to be found covering one of the chapels to the right of the altar.

The gothic Clock Tower also deserves a special mention.