While in Aveiro for the Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability, you can visit Aveiro's Cathedral!

The primitive Church of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia was consecrated in 1464 and was connected to the Dominican convent of the same name. Between the 16th and the 17th centuries it underwent work, and the side aisles were converted into devotional chapels. In 1834, the convent was transformed into military barracks and destroyed by a fire a few years later.

In 1835, the church - with its beautiful baroque portal framed by four Salomonic columns, a frieze with floral decoration and the coat of arms of the Infante D. Pedro, Duke of Coimbra – was converted into the parish of Our Lady of Glory, and in 1938 became the Cathedral of the Diocese of Aveiro with the Bull of Pope Pius XI.

Inside, the side-chapels preserve items of great value. In the chapel of the Visitation an excellent altarpiece dating from 1559 can be admired, which represents the Virgin and Saint Elizabeth in a very original composition. In the chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary there is a beautiful image of its Patron, dating from the end of the 16th century, as well as several 17th century paintings, representing the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries. In an arched window in the original wall there is a Gothic image of the Virgin and Child, made of alabaster, which originally stood in a niche outside the church. The Baroque organ of 1754 is now defunct, but in 2013 a new organ, built in Hungary, was placed in the transept.

In the churchyard that opens out in front of the church, there is a beautiful Gothic cross from the end of the 15th century, set on a 17th Century pedestal. Above it is a poignant figure of Christ on the cross, whose arms end in fleur-de-lys. The chancel, of great iconographic value, is decorated with the steps of the Passion.

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